IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


'f^ilM  ilM 

-■  IIIIM 

MmSS 


2.2 
2.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4 

1.6 

-* 6"     - 

► 

vQ 


^ 


0% 


/}. 


^3 


^^.     ^v 


'a 


% 


ol*. 


^;. 


'/ 


y^. 


Photograpbjc 

Sdences 
Corporation 


^^ 


<v 


k 


^ 


\\ 


33  VVEST  MAIN  STREET 

WT1STER,N.Y.  14S80 

(716)  872-4503 


'«^rt.V 


<b 


^         ^ 

>^' 


<ff 


6^ 


<<, 


^^<4^<-'^ 


ii 


,<i^ 


L.? 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductlons 


Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


1980 


ii 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 


n 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  rostaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


[~^    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
aP/pear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
11  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exsmplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exempiaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


I      I   Co!oured  pages/ 


D 
D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaoed/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachci6es  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtach^eo 


r~^    Showthrough/ 


Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualit^  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I    Includes  supplementary  material/ 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film6es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


v^ 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  bean  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 


L'exemplaire  filmi  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6n6ro8it6  de: 


Library 

Indian  and  Northern  Affairs 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Bibliothique 

Affaires  indiennes  et  du  Nord 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  M  reproduites  avec  ie 
plus  grand  soin.  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  I'exempiaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  followinc  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimis  sont  fiimis  en  commengant 
par  Ie  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  Ie  second 
plat,  salon  Ie  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commen9ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  Ie 
cas:  Ie  symbole  — ^  sidnifie  "A  SUIVRE",  Ie 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmis  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  Ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clich6,  11  est  fiim6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  Ie  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

i 


wm 


'M 


CONTRIBUTIONS 


I 


TO  TllK 


NATLRAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


■f  ■^■-  ■■'••' H 


RESULTS  OF  tNVESTlUATlONS  MADE  CHIEFLY  IN  THE  YUKON 

DISTRICT  AND  THE  ALEUTIAN    ISLANDS;  CONDUCTED 

UNDER  THE  AUSPICES  OF  THE  SIGNAL  SERVICE, 

UNITED  STATES  ARMY,  EXTENDING  FROM 

MAY,  1874,  TO  AUGUST,   1881. 


PKEPAURD   UNDKR  THE    DIRECTION  OF 

BRIO.    AN1>    BVT.   MA.T.   OEN.   W.    B.    HAZEN. 

CHTKF  SIGNAL  OFFICER  OF  THE  AKMT, 
BT 


L.    M.    TUKNER. 


No.   II. 
ARCTIC  SERIES  OF  PUBLICATIONS  ISSUED  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THE  SIGNAL  SERVICE,  U.  S.  ARMY. 

WITH    26    PLATES. 


WASniNOTOX: 
GOVERNMENT   rUINTING  OFFICE. 

1886. 


»%-^ 


T.'i'SS' 


DEC  IS  1^ 

Nortiitirn  Adiirs  Library 
OTTAWA 

'Jim 


*s.* 


ARCTIC  SERIKS  OF  PUBLICATIONS 


ISSUKIl   IN    OON'NKOTION   Willi 


THE  SIGNAL  SERVICE,  U.  S.  ARMY. 

No.      I.— Report  of  tlie  Expedition  to  Point  Barrow,  Alaska,     liy  Lietit.  J'.  II,  Kay.    1885. 

No.     II.— Contributions  to  the  Natural  History  of  Alaska.    By  L.  M.  TuuNEB.     188(i. 

No.   III.— 'Report  upon  Natural  History  Collections  iiiaile  in  Alaska  in  1877-1881.    By  K.  W. 
Nklson.     1880. 

No.    I  v.— "Report  of  the  Expedition  to  Lady  FrankHn  Bay.     By  Ltextt.  A.  W.  (Ireklv.     1887. 

No.     V — 'Report  of  Observatioiit*  made  in  Ungava  and  Labrador.     By  L.  M.  TuBNEii.     1887. 


'Ill  (iiin'M!  (if  |iir|iaraticiii. 


LETTER  OP  TRANSMITTAL. 


National  Muskum,  AprU2rt,  1882. 

Sib:  Hcrinvitli  1  have  tlio  honor  to  tiaiiMiDit  to  jou  for  publication  the  foHowing  notes  made 
by  me  in  tlie  Territory  of  Alaska  during  the  years  1874  to  1881,  uutler  the  direction  of  the  Chief 
Siginii  Olhcer,  U.  S.  Army,  and  in  connection  with  tl»e  National  MuReiim,  under  the  direction  of 
Prof.  &.  F.  Haird,  Secretary  of  tlio  Smithsonian  Institution. 

A  brief  recital  of  the  various  localities  visited  by  me  is  necessary. 

Under  sjtecial  orders  I  was  directed  by  the  Chief  Signal  Ollicer  to  proceed  to  Saint  Michael's, 
Alaska,  and  there  establish  a  meteorological  station.  I  arrived  at  Saint  Michael's  May  25, 1874,  and 
began  taking  meteorological  observations  June  2(5,  1874.  During  my  leisure  time  I  was  employed 
in  obtaining  such  objects  pertaining  to  the  natural  hii-tory  of  that  region  as  could  be  done.  The 
collection  embraced  specimens  ot  jtlants,  insects,  lishes,  birds,  mammals,  and  a  great  <iuantity  of 
ethnological  nmtter,  together  with  extensive  vocabularies  of  the  Unalet,  Malemut,  Nulato  IngiV 
let,  and  Aleut  languages.  Each  of  these  subjects  received  the  fullest  attention  that  the  means 
and  time  at  my  disposition  would  allow;  si)ecial  attention  being  given  to  obtaining  a  full  series  of 
the  birds  of  that  region  and  to  collecting  all  ethnological  material  possible.  Several  specits  of 
fishes  and  birds  had  not  hitherto  been  detected  within  North  American  limits. 

This  work  was  prosecuted  iiiifil  1  signified  my  desire  to  return  to  civilization  and  was  relieved, 
at  my  own  rerpiest,  by  Private  E.  W.  Nelson,  Signal  Corps,  U.  S.  Army,  who  assumed  charge  ot 
the  meteorological  duties  and  other  work,  under  si)eeial  orders  from  the  Chief  Siginil  OBlcer. 

To  Private  Nelson  was  turned  over  all  Government  property  under  my  charge,  July  14,  1877. 

I  returned  to  Washington  City,  and  at  my  own  request  was  discharged  from  the  Signal  Corps, 
U.  S.  Army. 

On  the  <Uh  of  March,  1878,  I  again  was  connected  with  the  Signal  ('orps,  and,  under  si)eciiil 
orders  from  the  Chief  Signal  Otlicer,  was  directed  to  proceed  to  Unalashka  Island,  Alaska,  and 
after  establishing  a  meteorological  station  at  that  place,  to  also  estaldish  stations  at  Attn,  Atkha, 
Belkovsky,  Fort  Alexander  (Hristol  Hay),  and  Saint  Paul  Island,  of  the  Pribylof  (Jroup. 

I  arrived  at  Unalashka  May  8, 1878,  and  proceeded  to  Fort  Alexander  to  establish  the  station 
at  that  ])lace.  I  secured  the  cooi»eration  of  Mr.  J.  W.  Clark,  to  whom  was  intrusted  a  full  set  of 
meteorological  instruments,  excepting  barometers,  of  which  1  had  none  even  for  myself,  and  sta- 
tionery. On  my  return  to  Unalashka  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1878,  I  soon  departed  for  Belkov- 
sky, for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  meteorological  station  at  that  place,  but  not  finding  a  person 
there  whom  I  considered  of  sutlicient  intelligence  and  reliability  to  perform  the  work,  I  was  com- 
pelled to  abandon  that  station.  At  Una'ashka  there  was  no  one  to  take  observations  during  my 
absence,  and  lateness  of  the  season  jMeventeil  me  from  going  to  the  western  part  of  the  Aleutian 
Islands  to  establish  stations  at  Atkha  and  Attn.  At  Saint  Paul  Island  I  secured  the  services  of 
Mr.  H.  W.  Mcliityre,  who  promised  to  take  observations  at  that  jilace. 

In  May,  1879,  I  visited  the  ishmd  of  Atkha,  but  not  finding  a  white  man  i)ernianently  at  that 
place,  I  was  necessitated  to  reniain  there  until  September,  187»,  when  I  returned  to  Uindashka; 
where  I  remained  until  June  .'J,  1880;  and  upon  an  opportunity  oftering  I  proceeded  to  Attu  to 
take  persoiml  charge  of  a  station  at  that  place,  I  remained  at  Attu  until  June,  1881,  and  returned 
to  Unalashka  to  be  relieved  of  furtlier  duty  by  Sergeant  S.  Applegate,  Signal  Corps,  U.  S.  Army, 


CONTUI1UJTION8  TO  THE  NATURAL  IHSTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


ami  by  tli«  Huiiie  order  wan  iiiHtmcted  to  proceed  to  WaHliiiiKton  t'ity  and  report  to  the  Chief 
HiKiial  Onitter  in  person.  I  departed  t'roin  UnalaNlil<a  .Inly  122,  LSSl,  and  arrived  in  WaHliington 
('ity  September  15,  1881,  wliore  I  received  inHtriictioiiH  to  prepare  tiiin  report  from  the  not«w  mmle 
by  me  wiiile  in  Ahiska. 

Oftiie  dillicuKieH  under  wliicli  I  Itave  hittored  t<f  carry  out  my  inHtrnutionM,  and  to  procure  the 
number  of  ol)Jectrt  of  tlie  natural  liiMtory  of  tlie  placeM  visited  by  me,  it  in  not  neceMsary  to  relate 
in  this  conuection. 

The  report  is  intended  to  jjive  only  such  notes  as  were  nmde  by  myself  in  the  held,  and  only 
in  sucli  instances  as  are  necessary  to  substantiate  my  own  observations  have  1  made  any  citations 
from  otiier  works  on  the  subjects  under  consideration. 

The  arrangement  of  subjects  is  presented  under  tlie  heads  of — 

Letter  to  the  Chief  Signal  Officer. 

Physical  and  descriptive  geography. 

Meteorology. 

Botany. 

Fishes. 

liirds,  with  list  of  other  birds  known  to  occur  in  Alaska. 

Manunals. 

The  subject  of  meteorology  is  believed  to  be  sufficiently  explicit  in  itself  to  require  no  explamv. 
tion,  other  than  that  the  tables  are  bused  on  the  observations  as  taken  by  the  persons  whose 
miuies  are  made  in  that  connection. 

The  list  of  itlants  is  that  given  by  Dr.  J.  T.  Kothrock  in  Smithsonian  Report  for  1807,  and 
contains  those  plants  principally  collected  by  the  employes  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph 
Comitany,  in  their  e.\i>loration  connected  with  the  ]{nssian  overland  telegraph  expedition,  Dr. 
Rothrock  himself  among  the  number.  To  this  list  has  been  added  such  plants  as  were  collected 
by  me  and  identitied  by  Prof.  A.  Gray,  of  Harvard  University ;  the  ferns  by  Prof.  1).  C.  Katon  ;  the 
grasses  by  IJr.  O.  W.  Vasey  and  Mr.  Conant,  of  tlie  .Agricultural  Department.  The  order  of  the 
list  has  not  been  changed  from  that  presented  by  Dr.  Rothrock,  and  with  it  are  combined  such 
notes  and  <Mstiibution  of  species  as  were  made  by  me.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  list  will 
admit  of  many  additions,  tiiere  having  been  so  little  opportunity  to  consult  and  reach  all  the  litera- 
ture on  the  entire  subject,  I  could  not  in  time  obtain  the  more  recent  works  so  as  to  present  to  it  in 
accordance  with  the  recent  (classifications. 

I  may  justly  state  in  this  (;onnection  that  of  all  great  ditliculties  the  most  troublesome  was 
to  preserve  the  plants  after  I  had  collected  them.  The  constant  moisture  of  the  climate  has 
Ireiiuently  ruined  my  entire  collection  of  a  summer's  work.  All  that  remained  after  snpiiosing  the 
plants  were  sutliciently  dried  wouhl  be  a  mass  of  mold  and  dry  edges  of  paper,  this  being  appar- 
ently dtnie  in  less  than  forty-eight  hours'  time. 

The  only  rejitile  obtaine«I  by  me  was  a  liana  HylratUaf  from  Fort  Yukon,  just  within  the 
Arctic  circle,  where  this  species  is  «juite  ]>lentiful.  This  and  a  sjiecies  of  Unto  from  the  vicinity  of 
Sitka  are  tiie  only  two  batrachians  known  to  me  to  be  found  in  the  Territory. 

The  collection  of  ttslics  w.as  not  large,  owing  to  the  lack  of  preservative  material  in  other 
tpiantity  than  merely  sutlicient  to  preserve  only  the  rarer  ami  smaller  kinds. 

To  Dr.  T.  U.  Bean,  curator  of  ichthyology  of  the  National  Museum,  was  given  the  task  of 
elaborating  the  material,  many  of  the  species  being  new  to  science  and  others  rare.  The  notes 
are  given  just  as  made  in  the  held.  That  they  could  have  been  made  more  extensive  by  consulting 
other  authors  is  evident,  but  such  course  was  not  deemed  necessary. 

The  engrossing  nature  of  other  work  necess.irily  limited  the  collection  of  birds,  as  it  was  im. 
possible  for  me  to  leave  the  station  for  the  purpose  of  making  more  extensive  investigations;  and 
there  was  no  one  to  whom  I  could  entrust  the  duties  to  be  performed  by  me.  In  the  spring  and 
summer,  when  the  birds  were  most  plentiful,  preparations  of  the  past  season's  work  had  to  be 
attended  to,  in  onler  to  ship  them  on  the  expected  vessel,  whose  movements  depended  entirely  on 
the  absence  or  presence  of  the  ice;  so  that  only  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  was  available  for 
procuring  siiecimeus.    During  the  period  from  November  to  the  succeeding  May  few  ptarmigan 


t!ONTUll{[JTI()Na  TO  THK  NATURAIi  HISTOUY  OF  ALASKA. 


Hiul  Hii  oudaNioniil  riivini  will  ho  tii«u)iil,v  bittlH  sw\  tluiiiiK  thai  time,  hence  there  are  tor  tli<<  (greater 
pari  of  the  year  Ixit  lew  hinls  to  be  aUded  to  the  culleetioii. 

The  iiiites  1)11  the  hirilM  are,  except  in  tew  inNtaniH'H,  the  rcHullH  of  ni,v  own  olisei  valiouH  in  Ihu 
llekl.  Several  Npecie«  collected  b,v  nie  are  new  to  the  North  American  bird  ranna,and  otherH,  \cry 
rare  HpucicM,  which  had  hitherto  been  Hpecial  tlesiderata.  To  my  own  notes  In  an  appendix  (M>ntain- 
in^;  a  liHt  of  all  the  birds  known  to  occnr  within  the  limitH  of  Alaska.  That  many  more  names  of 
birds  will  be  added  to  the  list  is  only  a  (piestion  of  the  time  when  the  Ten  itory  w  ill  be  fully  inves- 
ti);ato(I  by  a  thoron^h  exploration,  as  many  sjievieH  are  known  to  be  abnndant  on  the  borders  of 
the^conntry.  Yet  the  fact,of  there  beiiif;  no  recorded  instances  of  their  occurrence  in  Alaska  has 
been  sntlicieut  to  excilude  them  Croni  the  list. 

Without  entering;  into  a  detailed  account  of  the  mnnn(>r  in  which  the  birds  are  best  obtained 
in  a  country  whose  features  have  but  little  in  common  with  others  moie  sonthern,  I  (;oidd  only  he 
sure  of  securing  ull  the  biids  I  ctnild  attend  to  by  bein^;  well  prepared  with  a  hunting  outfit,  so 
far  as  (jun  (a  tine  one  nnide  by  I'arker  Bros.,  West  Meriden,  Conn.)  and  ammunition  w«>re  con- 
cerned— for  without  these  it  is  impossible  tt)  obtain  specimens  where  the  birds  jterceptibly  become 
scarcer  and  wilder  each  year,  due  to  the  introdiction  of  immense  quantities  of  cheap  shot  ;fung 
that  do  more  hurm  by  scaring  than  killing  in  the  hands  of  the  native  youths.  At  Saint  .Michael's 
the  j;eese  and  ducks  have  {jn'atly  decreased  in  numbers,  if  wo  may  believe  the  reports  of  the  hunt- 
ers of  former  days  who  ba),'Red  many  times  the  quantity  which  may  now  bo  obtained,  and  this  with 
infinitely  better  ^nnis  and  certainly  not  worse  shots.  Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  the  birds  have 
forsaken  the  vicinity  of  the  villages,  and  only  by  visiting  the  uninhabited  islands  can  a  complete 
series  of  specimens  be  obtained,  as  the  i)eople  an*l  foxes  have  driven  the  birds  away.  This  is  note- 
worthy from  the  fact  that  the  natives  of  Attn  speak  of  a  large  cormorant,  which,  from  the  descrip- 
tion given  by  them,  could  have  been  none  otln-r  tjnin  the  greatly  desired  Pallas's  cormorant 
(I'hnlacrocorajperiipivillatnH  I'all.).  This  bird  is  now  not  to  be  found,  where  but'twenty  years  ago 
(when  no  fire-arms  were  used)  it  was  quite  abundant  at  Attn  and  among  the  other  Nearer  islands. 

At  the  j)re8ent  time  most  birds  are  seen  as  the  ves»el  quietly  moves  through  the  still  wnters. 
At  sea  myriads  of  auks  of  various  kinds  sit  among  the  title  streams,  feeding  on  various  substances, 
and  are  only  disturbed  by  the  vessel  making  a  narrow  break  in  their  ranks  as  they  stretch  away 
for  miles  in  length,  where  even  in  moderately  rough  weather  the  birds  spend  most  of  their  time, 
each  species  in  a  manner  by  itself,  but  with  an  occasional  intrusion  of  a  puffin,  gull,  or  other  bird 
in  theseriation  formed  l)y  the  gently  undulating  sea.  Though  generally  each  species  or  it  and  its 
congenors  keep  well  together,  yet  the  interval  separating  the  species  is  generally  distinct,  even  of 
but  few  yards  or  by  overlapping  ranks  but  slightly  separated. 

The  gulls  aiul  ravens  prefer  the  shingly  beach  or  sands,  and  carefully  scan  the  surface  for  a 
8crai>  of  anything  lit  or  not  fit  for  food.  The  former  sedate  and  often  of  .solemn  mood,  the  reverse 
of  the  wary  raven  ever  on  the  alert  for  a  trap  in  which  his  foot  may  be  caught,  for  they  frequently 
walk  along  and  instantly  jump  as  though  something  had  exploded  directly  under  it,  yet  continue 
its  fantastic  actions  for  hours. 

The  snipe  and  kindred  birds  seek  the  more  nuirshy  places,  where  they  abound  in  their  season. 
But  few  species  of  the  waders  remain  in  the  Aleutian  Islands  and  none  in  the  northern  portions  of 
the  Territory  during  the  winter.  The  ducks  and  geese  are  widely  distributed,  and  in  a  great 
measure  modified  forthe  time  being  by  their  surroundings  in  each  locality. 

The  list  of  mammals  presented  represents  all  the  known  living  and  fossil  species,  the  greater 
part  being  found  on  the  nmiidand.  On  the  Aleutian  Islands  the  only  mammals  are  the  foxes  and 
the  seals,  with  few  8i)ecies  of  rodentia,  of  which  two  species  are  imported.  There  are  no  mi<!e  or 
rats  on  the  extreme  western  islands  at  the  present  time,  and  only  one  species  of  fox,  Vulpen 
lagopua.  One  of  the  small  islands  near  Kiska  Island  i3  said  by  the  natives  to  bo  literally  honey- 
combed with  the  holes  of  a  species  of  spermophile.  I  was  unable  to  secure  specimens  for  identifica- 
tion. I  was  also  unable  to  procure  a  specimen  of  the  bat,  which  is  plentiful  at  Kadiak,  and  occa- 
sionally ranges,  in  the  months  of  July  and  August,  even  as  far  north  as  Nulato,  on  the  Yukon  Hiver. 

(A  large  collection  of  insects  and  shell*-  was  also  made  bv  me,  but  owing  to  circumstances  beyond 
my  control  I  am  not  able  to  present  the  notes  pertaining  to  them  in  this  connection,  or  to  give  a 
list  of  the  species.) 


8 


CONTUIIUrnoNS  TO  TICK  NATUUAIi  III8TOIIY  OK  ALASKA. 


It  liiiH  Ihhmi  «lePiii«Ml  iMlviMulile  to  ({ivf  n  liMt  of  tlu>  priiifipul  luvulitioH  with  tlieir  t(t><>grii|»liicitl 
poHilion,  c>H|ii'fiiilly  tlioHv  int'iitioiitMl  in  iii,v  iiuteH. 

Miiiiy  iKM'MoiiH  liiiviiiK  \  JHitiMl  AliiNkii  iiihI  thrown  into  roiitact  witli  |m>o|)Io  H|H>akiiiK  tlio  ItiiM- 
Hiiiii  hiiiKiii)K*s  wliirii  hiiH  8carci>i,v  iiiiy  iiniiiit.v  witli  tin*  Kn^liHJi,  iinil  dining;  thi'ir  MJioit  Htiiy  hiivn 
in'fNtinu'il  to  hitvurniiNtoi'iMl  lliu  Honn(lMor<-onNoiiiintHantl  vowi-Im  wliich  aic  prcullar  to  tln<  ItiiHNJan 
iaiiKUUKi';  Iti'iuu*  many  (liKcirpunciKH  havo  aiiHcn  and  n-Hulti'd  in  Npt<llin),r  certain  woiiIn  in  NovtMal 
cironroiiM  ways.  The  nanu'ot'ono  of  th<>  piincipal  hii'Ko  ixhintlH  of  (In-  caHtiTn  part  of  tin*  Aicntiaii 
uhiiin  IniN  ltf«>n  Kivcn  tliiiM,  AonahiNJika,  Oonahinlika,  OonalaNka,  I'nahiNka,  ami  ('nahiNJika.  Th«i 
luiOority  of  Mn^liMh  writiMH  in  NpflliiiK  tlu>  Uii^Nian  patronyniicN  a'lVi^  an  ./or.//'  »»  tin'  cntiin;;  for 
ItnMMian  wonJN  which  really  i-ntl  in  the  koiiimI  of/,  and  Hhonid  he  ho  written,  as  the  Nonnd  of />** 
ttwUlental  in  all  words  endini;  with  the  hard  semivowel  'i>,  or  when  plact'd  hefore  htron((  ecnisonants, 
and  thtMi  taking  the  Hound  of  its  eorrfspondint;  lultiir  4',  whieli  m  the  pure  anil  simple/ as  nsetl  in 
English. 

Thu  following  nnnifs  are  la'lieved  to  la*  entirely  in  aeeordantte  with  the  pioper  soninl  of  the 
Itiissian  ami  native  names.  The  latitude  and  longitude  are  taken  mostly  from  the  determinationa 
nnidu  hy  the  U.  8.  Coast  Hiirvey  uud  other  authorities.  Thoy  nru  Huniciently  (correct  for  the 
pur])OHe  intended.  , 


[.(iialltv. 


IT.  HCiiiinl  Survey  .SUlliin.  Hllkn 

AKlKiiiiinilriil  Hlalliiii.  Saliit  Pjiiil  Mm  bur,  Kgillik 

Kiiililk  Vllliiu..,  K».llak 

Villiiiiii  in  Di'lnriir  llRrbiir.  I'iiK'I  laliiixl ••■■' 

lU'lk.VvHkv  Vill,.)ni 

C'lipi*  IVIn)f,  wi'«t  Riid  (il'Saiinakh  Ulniiil  miil  Uiirbitr 

HiiiilliwiMt  pdint  iil'i'iitnyii'i<  lu  Kulw  I'xu  Ixtwoi'ii  Alluikn  noil  Tnliiiak 

SouUi  Cii|M',  A  kiitiiii  IhIaihI .,, 

Morili  Capo,  Unaiun  ImIiiiiiI 

NnrUi  Capi',  AkAii  Inland 

AHlrononitral  Sliillun,  <'hcrnov»ky  liny   

Antnniomlial  KIntlmi.  Illulink  VlllaRn,  rnalaxlikn  Inland 

Ntirtli  point  nf  rnniak  iMliinil 

]to|{HNliir  iHUntl    

Went  point  of  Anillii  Inlaiiil 

Vllln>[i^  (nHtrononileal  ntutton)  on  Naxan  Ittiy,  Atkhn  Island 

Koruvinnky  IVnk  (v(di'iinn,  4,8.Vj  frat  IiIkIiI 

KnnHKa  IVak.on  KniMi|{n  Inliind  . 

tN>nHlHntlne  Miiy,  AHtronontlealStntInn,  Anicbltka  Islnnd 

Anliononiloiil  Station  at  villain,  Kyaka  Harbor,  Kyaka  Inland 

Bouldyr  Inland  (K.  Capo) 

Went  point  ol'Sondrhl  Inlanda 

Nortbeant  Capo  uf  Agatta  Inland    

Kant  Cane,  Attn  Inland 

FlaKntalf  in  Chli'biipit°  Ilnrlior,  Attn  laland  

Capo  Wianeel  (lb«  wvnti'rn  point  of  Attn  laland) 

Obu'nnoi  (Mannnen*)  Iliiv,  notitb  aide  of  Attn 

Monlh  uf  TuJaik  Kiv.'r' 

Aniak  InlailM 

Fort  Alexander,  on  Miiabaifak  Klver 

Cape  New(>ubam 

Cape  Uuniiant!M)f 

Went  point  of  Stnart  laland 

Saint  Miebneln  

Unalakbllt , 

Benborougb  Inland  

Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  tbe  r'*«ternniosl  imint  of  mainland  of  North  AmerioK. 

Went  Cape.  Saint  Oeorije  Im^nd 

SniiMiweai  Cape,  SiilntranI  Inland  

Sou  tlieant  point  of  Saint  Matt  hew  Inland 

Soul hraat  Cape,  Saint  Lawrence  Island 


Latltnds. 


n  02  .u 

117  47  ft7 
97  .14  :iH 
SS  II  ;iu 

ss  n  II- 

M  37  00 
H  47  04 
>4  01  3U 
M  M  4K 
M  IS8U 

Bs  ua  it 

«8  fi  53.  7 

53  32  00 

Bll  5K  3« 

,VJ  on  ,'lfl 

6'J  10  30 

ii  1>3  30 

61  M  30 

91  23  30 
ii  no  04 
93  34  00 
63  49  00 

83  37  an 

62  91  :io 

92  Ml  OO.  0 

63  68  00 

61  40  48 
68  13  43 
99  29  00 
68  ,17  06 

68  43  00 
01  62  00 
63  39  30 
63  28  00 

63  ,'i3  33 

64  (HI  36 

69  32  00 
96  37  48 
57  10  12 
««  17  80 

62  67  OO 


Longllade. 


Aiilborlty. 


136  20 
•M  21 
IM  24 
160  30 

162  OU 

163  40 
163  14 
109  911 
l(W  111 
16,5  34 
1117  211 
KM  31 
107  ,-.0 
167  90 

173  91 
»74  19 

174  17 
177  16 
170  12 
177  00 
179  40 
173  9<l 
173  36 
173  23 
173  12 
1T2  20 
173  06 

167  30 
10.1  01 
19H  18 
102  09 
106  17 
102  32 
ini  4M 
lOU  30 
inl  117 

168  09 
IBS  48 
170  28 
172  14 
Its  24 


30 

!io 

00 
16 
00 

uo 

12 

00 

0* 

.16 

44.2 

00 

00 

IH 

IH 

18 

00 

119  E. 

00  . 

00 

30    ' 

00  E. 

00 

23.  7 

OU 

00 

00  W 

30 

24 

00 

00 

36 

00 

16 

00 

00 

00 

uo 

M 
30 


1' 


vey. 


S.  Coast  Snrv 

Do. 

Arclilnianilrllof. 
I.'.  S.  (.'iijint  Survey. 

Ilo. 

Do.  ,, 

Voronkovnky. 
Krenitilu. 

Ilo. 

Ilo. 
U.  .S.  Coast  Snrvpv. 

Do. 
Viinilief. 
II.  8.  Cuast  Snrvcy. 

Do. 
I'avbif 

Halniatof  ,ind  others. 
I'.  8.  Cuast  Survey. 

Do. 
Gibson. 

Do. 
Denieman  and  othera. 
Gibson. 

U.  S.  Const  Snrvey, 
Gibson. 

1)0. 

Staninkovlob. 

Uo. 
Wrangel  and  othera. 
Vasillef  and  others. 
Etolln. 
Tebienkof. 

)lean  of  Kellelt  and  Zagoakln. 
ZaKonkin. 
Kbrnnicbenkn. 
U.  S.  Coast  Survey. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Pavlor. 


Chorit  Peninnila  Ilea  in  about  66°  16'  N.,  and  162°  W.  long.,  and  Is  directly  north  of  Chanilnso  laland.  In  Bachsoholta  Bay,  a  part  of  Kotis 
bue  Sound. 

Kamea  of  othir  looalitlea  mentioned  in  these  papers  are  believed  to  be  suRlolently  explicit. 


I  desire  to  express  my  deep  obligations  to  Prof.  S.  F.  Balrd,  Secretary  of  the  Smithsonian 
Institution  and  Director  of  the  National  ]\[useum.  in  affording  mo  every  facility  in  preparing  tliese 
pages.  To  Mr.  Ilobert  Hidgway,  curator  of  ornithology  of  the  National  Museum,  my  obligations 
are  deep  for  the  many  valuable  suggestions  he  has  made.  To  Dr.  L.  Stejneger  I  am  under  great 
obligations  for  suggestions  on  several  subjects,  especi.illy  those  pertaining  to  Pyrrhula  and  Mota- 
cilia,  which  were  reviewed  by  him.  Also  to  Dr.  T.  U.  Bean,  curator  of  ichthology,  I  am  greatly 
indebted  for  the  identifications  of  all  the  flsbcs  collected  by  me.    To  Messrs.  J.  N.  McQuostiou* 


CONTRIHITTION8  TO  THK  NATUKAI,  IIIBTOItY  OK  ALAHKA.  0 

A.  Mayo,  Htiil  J.  Ilurper,  <»f  the  iipiwr  Yukon  DiHtrict,  I  iiiii  (lee|>ly  inditlttiMl  f<»r  many  H|MHnnienM  of 
binlH  wliitth  1  would  not  otberwiHtt  liuvu  obtainiMl. 

In  the  UnuluHhknn  DiHtrict  1  t-an  but  retntMnlM^r  with  pleaMure  tlie  raciiitioM  ctronltHl  niu  l)y 
the  WeMtern  Fur  iintl  TradiuK  Company  thiouKit  tli*ir  aKfnt«,  Mr.  John  Uimm,  and  eH|ieoially  to 
Mr.  Kobt^rt  King,  agt^nt  of  tlie  diHtriot. 

To  the  Kentlenicn  (•x)uip«>Hin((  tlie  AluHka  t'oiunitTcial  Oonipany,  in  Hun   KramtiHco,  I  tuke 
]>leaHure  in  aflknowJMlginK  tlie  many  favon*  i^xteiidt-d  im  with  extrcMiu-  (U)nrt«'Hy  at  Saint  MichaprH 
and  duriuK  the  WrHt  year  of  my  stay  at  IJnaliwhka. 
I  am,  HJr,  very  reH|ie«tfully,  youra, 

LUCIKN  M.  TUKNKK. 
The  Chikk  Skjnal  O.  piokb  U.  8.  Abmy, 

WaMkingUni,  IK  V. 
8.  MiH.  I6f> '2 


■/, 


RESEARCHES  IN  ALASKA. 


I'art  I  -OKIsTERAL    DESCRIPTION. 

Part      II.~METEOROLOGY. 

Part  lII.-PI.AlSrTS. 

Part  IV.-FISHES. 

Part       V.-BIRDS. 

Part  VI.-M^MMAI.y. 


11 


K/. 


-  /(T^c*.  "-/cyz^,  c/^^,  ■ 


PAKT    r.-(iKiNEKAL   DESC'KIPTJON. 


I'HYSICAL  CHAKACTKUISTIOS  OF  TlIK  I'OUNTHY. 

Tlie  cliaracter  of  tlio  country  in  tlie  vicinity  of  Saint  Micbael's  is  tliat  of  a  vast  moorland,  niiicli 
diversified  with  low,  rolling  areas  to  higher  levels  on  which  are  situated  either  liifih  hills  or  short 
chains  of  mountains  of  not  jrreat  height,  usually  surrounded,  esiieeially  near  the  coast,  by  great 
marshy  plains  or  tundras,  on  which  are  numerous  lakes  of  greater  or  less  si/,e,  and  in  most  instances 
connected  with  each  other,  or  else  having  short,  small  outlets  whicu  run  directly  into  vsome  one  (»f 
;  ,e  numerous  coves  or  arms  of  the  sea,  or  unite  with  a  larger  stream  which  leads  its  tortuous  way 
to  the  smaller  tributaries  of  the  great  Yukon  ]{iver.  The  size  of  these  streams  is  variable  ac«!ord- 
ing  to  the  soil  througii  which  they  wind.  In  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's  there  are  none  of  suffi- 
cient size  to  be  worthy  of  mention. 

Along  the  eastern  side  of  Norton  IJay  are  several  small  streams  {s«;arcely  of  size  to  be  called 
rivers)  which  empty  into  the  bay  and  take  their  origin  anumg  the  hills  to  the  eastward  and  whu^h 
form  the  watershed  between  the  Yukon  River  and  Norton  Sound.  The  streams  on  the  eastern 
side  of  those  hills  are  tributary  to  the  Y'ukon,  and  are  of  inferior  size.  '^  he  trend  of  the  coast  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  sound  is  northeast  and  .southwest.  It  contains  biu  few,  and  those  broad, 
indentations,  the  general  line  being  incurved  and  having  but  few  islands  on  its  margin;  the 
larger  islands  being  Stuart  and  Saint  Michael's,  the  former  on  the  outside  of  Saint  Michael's,  and  this 
only  separated  by  a  imrrow  strait,  while  Saint  Michael's  Island  is  separated  from  the  mainland  by  a 
narrow  gut  of  only  a  few  rods  in  width,  and  of  such  slight  depth  that  in  (J(;t(»ber,  when  the  lowest 
tides  occur,  it  is  dry  at  low  water.  The  coast  on  the  northern  side  of  the  sound  has  an  east  and  west 
trend;  the  extreme  ))()rtions  only  being  deei)ly  indented  to  form  Norton  Hay  aiul  (Jolovin  Hound 
at  the  eastern  end,  and  (Jlaren<'.e  Soun<l  on  the  western  extremity.  The  only  islan<ls  worthy  of 
mention  on  this  stretch  of  coast  are  Aziak  or  Sledge  Island,  and  ()k<''vuk  or  Kiny's  Island,  the 
latter  situated  at  some  distance  from  the  mainhuxl,  the  line  of  the  coa.-^t  being  ratliei'  abru])t  and 
having  but  a  narrow  strij)  of  low  laiul  before  the  foothills  of  the  Kavyayuk  reiiinsula  The  region 
embracing  the  Yukon  Delta  is  very  low,  only  occasional  hills,  and  these  rarely  touching  the  sea,  to 
relieve  the  monotony  of  the  area.  Several  streams  of  moderate  size  are  to  be  found  between  Saint 
Michaels  ami  the  Yukon.  The  delta  itself  comprises  numerous  streams  of  variable  size,  and  these 
constantly  changing  by  th"  force  of  the  ice  brought  <lown  by  the  spring  freshets,  which  plows  away 
entire  islands,  and  blocks  channels  and  forms  others  among  the  yielding  alluvium,  while  back  trom 
the  sea-shore  the  flat  land  is  infinitely  intersected  with  sluggish  streams,  lione  of  which  (Huitain 
water  only  during  the  wet  season.  The.se  streams  and  the  land  in  that  vicinity  are  frequently  over, 
flowed  by  the  high  titles  of  December.  The  ice  frozen  to  the  soil  is  lifted  by  the  waters,  aiu)  in  rising 
carry  tons  and  tons  of  earth  from  the  bottoms  of  the  creeks  and  dejiosit  it  beyond  the  banks.  When 
the  spring  opens  large  masses  of  fresh  earth  are  often  nu>t  with,  carried  out  in  this  manner.  I 
observed  a  single  deposit  of  this  kind  over  5(10  feet  long,  abmit  .'i(t  feet  wide,  and  averaging  2  feet 
dee]),  thrown  out  of  the  ''  canal  "  between  Saint  Mi(;hael's  Islantl  and  the  U)aiidand,  and  this  led  me 
to  a(!count  for  the  numerous  little  knolls  of  earth  in  the  neighborhood.  They  may  be  detected  also 
by  the  ranker  growth  of  grasses  which  are  found  on  them. 

Ketweeii  the  Yukon  Delta  and  Cape  Kumiantzol  the  coast  line  extcmls  m)rtheast  an<l  south, 
west.     It  is  indented  by  numerous,  shallow  bays  ami  low,  narrow  cai»es.     Many  streams,  nme  of 


Ii        I 


u 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


coiiHiderablc!  sixc,  drain  tlu-  vast,  oxtroniolv  <h>|ir(>8se»l,  area  bptweon  the  Yukon  aiHl  KnHkok\'im 
Rivers.  Tlie  coast  line  between  tlie  Knsk()kviin  River  and  Aliaska  is  i)artl.v  low  in  the  northern, 
and  rufjfjed  in  the  eentral  part,  with  alternating  low  and  high  stretches  on  the  southern  part. 
This  extent  is  nin(;h  broken  by  broad  ba.vs  of  water,  several  largo  streams,  and  the  large  rivers, 
Nushagiik,  Kvichftk,  and  Ugi^sik.  At  varying  distances  along  the  entire  coast  line  broken  ranges 
of  mountains  ajijiear,  their  general  diri'ction  being  east  and  west  for  the  southern  i)art,  ami  north 
and  south  for  tlu'  norlhern  jiart.  The  cliara<'ter  of  the  interior  is  not  known,  except  along  the 
larger  rivers,  and  that  being  of  generally  the  same  character  as  the  coast.  The  peninsula  of 
Aliaska  is  sinijily  a  cotiiinuation  of  the  Alaskan  Rlonntains,  forming  a  comimratively  long,  narrow 
strip  of  land,  extending  nearly  northeiist  and  southwest.  It  is  very  mountainous,  much  broken 
into  short  ranges,  usually  seveiiil  peaks  on  a  wide  base,  or  else  isolated  mounltiins  olten  of  great 
height,  the  iiortion  ol  those  over  L',H(Kt  led  high  being  destitute  of  vegetation.  These  ?nonntaiii8 
are  (|nite  iibrujit  on  the  southern  side.  iMid  have  numerous  bays,  coves,  and  arms  of  the  sea  thrust 
aiming  tlii-hi.  e\<'n  to  tlieii'  luLses.  Hie  ntntliern  shore  of  the  i)eninsnla  of  Aliaska  is  a  low,  varied 
slriit  ot  lan<l,a  lew  niilis  to  a  lew  rods  in  width,  the  eastern  end  of  the  north  side  being  generally 
widei  and  of  less  elevation,  somewhat  approaching  the  geneial  characters  of  the  tundras  of  the 
Yukon  District. 

The  Aleutian  Islands  :iii'  liul  an  interrui)ted  continuation  of  the  Aliaskan  Peninsula.  They 
extend  in  an  easterly  and  western  direction  for  a  little  over  1,000  miles;  the  (H'utral  islands  being 
farther  south  give  the  chain  a  nearly  regular  curve.  Including  the  ('oinniauder  I.slands,  the  chain 
has  its  ends  terminating  nearl,\  in  the  same  degree  {'>rt°)  of  latitude,  and  the  southernmost  islands 
lying  in  about  51°  !'(>'  north.  The  priucii)al  islands  of  the  chain  have  their  longer  axis  nearly  in 
the  same  direction  as  tlml  of  the  deciirvatnre  of  the  entire  chain,  the  shorter  axis  lying  to  the 
eastward  of  north.  The  ishinds  in  the  central  part  i>resent  a  slight  exception  to  these  directions. 
These  islamls  are,  generally  speaking,  very  mountainous  (among  them  several  active  volcaiu)es, 
some  of  them  very  high),  their  sides  generally  abrupt,  conti'.ining  inuumerabh^  indentations,  such 
as  deej*  bays  and  coves — these  more  abundant  on  the  northern  and  eastern  sides  than  on  the  south- 
ern and  western.  (Nearly  all  the  an(!liorages,  and  the  villages,  with  few  excei)tious,  are  on  the  north 
ami  east  sides  of  the  islands.)  There  is  but  little  level  ground  on  an.\  of  the  islands,  that  little  being 
formed  at  the  entrsfiice  to  the  larger  valleys  flanked  by  lnfih  mountains  on  either  side,  from  which 
descend  innuiner.iOle  small  streams  from  the  summits  of  the  mountains  (irowned,  in  most  instances, 
with  eternal  snows.  These  streams  unite  to  form  creeks  of  slight  depth  and  width,  having  a  short 
course  before  they  reach  the  sea.  Lakes  of  variable  size  aie  to  be  found  on  nearly  all  the  islands, 
some  of  quite  large  area  being  situated  on  the  higher  hills.  The  hardness  of  the  rocks  and  the 
slight  degree  liy  which  they  are  Ijeld  in  solution,  reiulers  the  water  flowing  over  them  reuuirkably 
pure  and  of  excellence  for  drinking  |)ur])o-ics.  I  much  doubt  if  water  from  any  part  of  the  globe 
nnikes  bi-tter  tea. 

SOIL. 


Tin  greater  portion  of  the  coast  line  is  bound  with  trachyte,  jtorphyrite,  syenite,  and  lava 
The  hardness  of  the  rocks  has  ])rodueed  a  nu'ager  soil,  though  in  some  localities  it  is  sandy  and  in 
others  a  few  isolated  beds  of  clay  occur.  Near,  the  mouths  of  the  larger  rivers  great  deposits  of 
alluvial  matter  are  to  be  found,  geiuMiilly  formed  of  fine  sand  aiul  decomi)osed  vegetable  nuitter. 
The  depths  of  soil  vary  in  each  locality,  and  in  the  areas  less  favorably  sitimted  for  drainage  tlie 
soil  remains  frozen  at  a  depth  of  less'than  18  inches  from  the  surface.  The  stratum  of  frozen  soil 
varies  tiom  '.i  feet  to  an  unknown  depth.  1  have  seen  .se'cral  holes  dug  for  various  purposes  and 
in  apparently  well  dinined  hit  nations,  aiul  have  in  each  instance,  on  the  hill  on  which  is  situated 
the  ndoiilit  of  Saint  Michael's,  found  the  continually  frozen  soil  to  be  at  a  dejith  of  less  than  3 
feet  from  the  surlaic  in  localities  which  are  well  drained  the  layer  of  frozen  s'il  may  even  dis 
appear  during  the  latter  part  of  summer,  and  in  soi  .e  places  among  the  alluvia',  ilejmsits  it  thaws 
out  earl\  in  ,]u\\.  Amtuig  the  Aleutian  Islands  the  soil  is  frozen  only  during  protracted  periods 
t»f  cold.  The  constant  rains  speedily  thaw  out  the  ground,  which  is  in  most  placis  but  a  thin  sod 
ol  a  few  inches  to  li  or .!  feet,  resting  on  a  lied  of  giavel  formed  ages  ago,  and  graduallii  encroached 


CONTKinnTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  niSTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


1.^ 


upon  iiiul  inattetl  togetlior  by  tbe  ruuts  of  giiMtieH  wliicli  thrive  on  tliu  lower  landH,  and  which 
having  fnlfilleil  all  the  requireuients  of  natnre,  are  prostraietl  to  the  earth,  not  to  rapidl,) 
ilenay,  but  even  for  yearH  to  remain  and  help  bind  the  fe\v  particles  of  soil  together  lest  it  fallt^ 
between  the  interNtices  of  the  gravel  bed  below.  In  the  Yukon  I>istric.t  it  is  almost  impossible  tc 
(ind  pure  soil ;  the  particles  on  being  dried  and  seiiarated  reveal  undecompo.sed  vegetable  filH'rs, 
and  disintegrated  volcanic  scoriai.  This  character  of  soil  made  it  necessary  that  we  should  Ire 
quently  moisten  our  garden-beds  at  Saint  Michael's  lest  they  blow  away. 


VKOETATION. 

The  scanty  growth  of  plants,  other  than  mosses,  is  due  to  the  great  accumulations  of  sphagnum, 
which,  in  the  localities  favorable  lor  its  growth,  leaches  a  depth  of  G  to  80  inches  in  the  extremely 
depressed  areas,  and  forming  a  covering,  which,  by  its  non-conductivity  of  heat,  prevents  the  warm 
rays  of  the  sun  from  penetrating  to  the  frozen  stratum  below.  JJrainage  being  imperfect  is  a 
principal  cau.se  of  the  constantly  frozen  ground.  Water  remains  in  certain  localities  of  extended 
area  for  ages,  while  at  the  bottom  is  in  most  instances  to  i)e  found  a  thin  de|tosit  of  mud  resting 
on  either  frozen  soil  or  pure  ice.  In  walking  over  the  low  tracts  I  have  lre<iuently  felt  tl-e 
ground  undulate  beneath  me  like  a  sLeetof  thin  ice  when  walked  upon.  Fre(|uent,  snuUi  rounded 
holes  were  found  of  only  a  few  inches  in  diameter.  Into  these  holes  I  have  often  stepped  and  gone 
down  to  a  depth  of  over  2  feet,  and  jtrevented  from  going  farther  liy  the  hole  l)eing  too  small  to 
admit  my  body.  Having  one  <lay  shot  a  duck,  which  mysteriously  disapiii-ared,  1  went  to  the 
edge  of  the  jiond  and  looked  for  the  bird.  1  then  thrust  a  long  stick  uiuler  the  edge  of  the  sod 
resting  on  the  water  of  the  [»ond,  and  could  feel  with  but  little  interference  from  grassroots  far 
in  under,  yet  the  water  was  too  deep  for  me  to  touch  the  bottom  of  the  pond.  I  now  saw  that 
the  margins  of  the  ponds  were  being  gradually  encroached  ui)on  by  the  matting  of  the  grasses, 
which  in  the  couj'se  of  lime  would  entirely  cover  the  surface,  and  in  their  turn  be  succeeded  by  a 
growth  of  sphagin.:ii,  which  by  its  retention  of  cold  would  prevent  the  ice  formed  in  the  water 
below  from'being  thawed  ont,  and  by  the  accumulation  of  vegetable  matter  on  its  surface  decrease 
the  power  of  the  sunnner's  sun  to  melt  the  frozen  lake  for  more  than  a  few  inches  of  its  depth. 
These  lakes  of  ice  have  beun  the  source  of  the  ice  bluli's  presented  on  various  parts  of  the  coast, 
especially  north  of  Bering  Strait,  the  accumulation  of  soil  on  them  iirodncing  the  wonderfully 
iittractive  mas.ses  of  j)laiits  and  tlowers  spoken  of  by  Aictic  voyagers. 

Another  cause  that  may  intluence  the  8i)eedy  freezing,  an<l  conseipient  non-thawing  of  the 
coast  line  and  moorlands  is  the  fact  that  the  annual  snow-fall  is  ])robably  only  half  as  nuicli  or  a 
third  less  than  in  the  interior,  comparatively  adjacent.  The  greater  part  of  the  snow  which  falls 
on  the  coast  is  immediately  drifted  either  into  the  sea  or  else  far  inland.  It  is  rare  that  a  depth 
of  more  than  18  inches  of  snow  is  found  on  the  low  level  coast  lands.  Scarcely  a  day  from 
November  to  Ai)ril  passes  but  that  the  snow  is  drifted.  The  ravines,  gullies,  and  abrupt  hillsides 
are  the  first  to  till  up,  and  by  the  middle  of  December  the  general  character  of  the  snow-sheet  is 
level,  only  interrupted  l)y  blurts  and  steep  hillsides.  Those  places  where  the  snow  collects  into  the 
deeper  drifts  are  found  to  be  the  scene  of  the  more  luxuriant  vegetation  in  spring. 

With  these  facts  it  wouhl  seem  incredible  that  tlowers  should  appeal  in  this  apparently  bleak 
and  desolate  regio.i. 

The  mantle  of  snow  has  scarcely  disappeared  in  spring  than  the  whole  surface  f  the  earth  is 
awakened,  numerous  plants  flourishing  under  such  circumstances,  existing,  it  would  seem,  independ- 
ent of  terrestrial  heat,  and  in  the  cour.se  of  a  few  weeks  surprise  is  changed  into  wonder  at  the 
luxuriance  and  beauty  of  the  vegetation,  equaled  only  in  more  favored  climes.  With  the  sun 
above  the  horizon  throughout  the  twenty-four  hours  the  growth  of  plants  is  rapid  in  the  extreme. 
The  snow  has  hardly  disappeared  before  the  tiny  but  hardy  Dodevatlieon  has  in  twelve  days  from 
its  birth  pa.ssed  through  the  successive  stages  of  growth,  flowering,  and  the  fctrmation  of  its  fruit. 
The  Pediculares  in  a  short  ten  days  have  shot  up  several  inches,  and  though  the  leaves  are  not  yet 
formed,  the  brighter  pink  raceme  is  full  of  bursting  Howers.  By  the  middle  of  July  (and  the  snow 
sometimes  continues  falling  to  the  middle  of  June)  epilobiums,  anemones,  asters,  ranunculuses, 
and  dozens  of  gaudily  colored  plants  enliven  and  variegate  the  earth.  During  the  long  Arctic 
days  the  plants  have  their  period  of  sleep,  short,  though  as  plainly  marked  as  iu  the  tropics. 


.il 


■If 


ll 


■:  I 


I 
I 


16 


CONTUIBUilONS  TO  THK  NATUKAL  HiSTOUV  OF  ALASKA. 


This  tiiiitt  of  n^Ht  is  iiidiciitt'tl  l»,v  tlio  (IrtHipiii);  of  thv  leitvcH  and  feldiiig  of  the  uorollaH  and  other 
siffiiH  whieli  Hie  olmerved  in  iiiiMtT  cliiiieH.  Each  Hpe<;ieH  of  plant  requirex  a  certain  aiiioiiut  of 
beat,  li^ht,  and  nioiHtnre  to  I'liltil  the  reqiiire<I  conditionH  of  life.  Of  light  and  nioiHture  there  iH 
Mutticient  in  the  higher  latitndeH ;  tlie  detiuienc.v  of  heat  may  be  Huppleinented  by  certain  changes 
in  the  plant  without  lotting  their  individuality,  and  nniy  be  changed  to  uieet  the  requirements 
necessary  for  their  existence  in  this  latitude.  The  colors  of  the  flowers  are  usually  most  intense; 
shades  of  blue  and  red  ))revail,  the  leaves  are  thicker  or  more  fleshy  and  contain  less  woody 
flber.  The  stems  of  uiany  of  the  flowering  plants  attain  their  full  height  before  the  leaves  and 
branches  are  half  developed;  and,  in  many  instances,  the  flowers  appear  l>efore  the  leaves,  thus 
showing  that  in  the  struggle  for  existence  the  leaves  and  other  parts  of  the  p.lauts  have  remained 
subservient  to  the  fruit-producing  portions.  In  many  perennials  the  roots  attain  larger  size  than 
in  warmer  latitudes,  and  thus  seem  to  store  up  an  <^nergy  which  not  oidy  ada]»ts  the  plant  to  with- 
stand the  rigors  of  tiie  climate,  but  forms  a  store  from  which  to  draw  vitality  in  the  early  spring. 
The  shrubby  plants  growing  near  the  coast  are  peculiar  for  their  change  of  growth  by  which  they 
are  enabled  to  lie  nearer  the  ground  and  thus  receive  a  greater  amount  of  heat  and  also  to  be 
the  better  protected  by  the  mantle  of  snow.  The  thickets  of  alder  and  willow  are  extremely 
tangled,  the  stems  forming  intinite  curves  and  elbows,  interlaced  and  matted  together  in  such 
degree  that  ])ro^ress  is  not  possible  among  then).  These  shrubs  in  the  nmst  favorable  localities 
attain  a  height  of  but  feet  teet,  while  their  manner  of  growth  and  numerous  abortive  leaf-buds 
indicate  their  struggle  for  existence. 

The  willows  and  alders  and  dwarf  birches  alone  attain  a  modevate  height  in  the  imu  •^diate 
vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.  About  20  miles  from  the  coast  line,  and  just  beyond  the  low  hills 
which  are  near  the  sea  shore,  a  scanty  growth  of  ])oplars  may  be  found  in  the  protected  ravines. 
These  trees  rarely  reach  a  diameter  of  over  8  inches,  and  are  generally  decayed  within.  On  the 
portage  from  Unalakhlit  to  the  Yukon  lliver  a  few  spruce  and  poplars  attain  a  height  of  25  feet. 
Not  until  the  watershed  of  the  Yukon  is  reached  ilo  we  And  trees  of  considerable  size;  there 
spru(!e,  willow,  poi)lars,  and  birch  obtain  good  size,  and  form  the  supply  from  which  all  the  wood 
of  the  district  is  obtained.  An  incalculablf  quantity  is  brought  down  as  drift  each  spring,  and. 
thrown  on  the  broad  ocean,  is  distributed  by  tides,  currentt,  and  winds  over  the  shores  of  all 
the  islands  and  mainlaml  bordering  Bering  Sea.  Not  until  the  shore  of  the  inner  part  of  Bristol 
Bay  is  reached  do  we  find  spruce  growing  immediately  on  the  coast.  On  Aliaska  trees  are  only 
fouiul  on  its  extreme  eastern  limits,  and  then  mostly  on  the  southern  side.  The  willows  and  alders 
grow  to  a  greater  size  on  the  western  part  of  Aliaska  than  on  the  Aleutian  Islaiuls.  The  eastern 
])art  of  Kadiak  Islantl  and  those  lying  to  the  northeast  of  it'  are  abundantly  supplied  with  spruce 
and  other  trees.  Of  late  years  many  cords  of  wood  are  exported  from  Kadiak  to  the  Aleutian 
Islands  for  fuel. 

Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  the  only  trees  are  the  spruce  from  Sitka,  set  out  by  the  priest  of 
the  Unalashkan  district  in  1832,  on  the  island  of  Amakudk,  a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  village 
of  lliuliuk,  on  Unalashkii  Island.  The  trees  grew,  some  died,  and  now  but  fourteen  remain  ;  the 
other  eight  were  either  broken  down  or  died.  They  have  not  reproduced  their  kind,  though  an 
abundant  croj)  of  <;ones  is  produced.  Alders  and  willows  are  the  only  large  shrubs  found  ou  the 
Aleutian  Islands.  Their  growth  is  scarcely  superior  to  that  of  the  same  species  at  Saint  Michael. 
Even  though  drill-wood  is  scarce  and  cord  wood  is  dear,  the  Aleuts  prefer  to  burn  a  few  wisps  of 
grass  or  a  bunch  of  Empvtrum  rather  than  go  the  same  distance  for  the  alder  or  willow.  Though 
it  is  true  that  among  these  islands  the  Kmpttrvm  attains  its  rankest  growth,  the  entire  hillside  is 
covered  with  it,  and  the  grasses  contend  in  height  with  the  billows. 


f} 


hi 


PART  II.-METEOROLOGY. 


in 


ABSTRACTS  FUOM   THE  DAILY  JOURNAL  AT  SAINT  MICHAEL,   ALASKA. 

JULY,  1874. 

July  1;  A  Htri)i)(?  galo  from  the  Hoiith,  iittiiiiiiiiK  »  innxininiii  velocity  of  55  miles. —July  7:  The  temperature  has 
been  hIowIv  inert nsiii;;  for  the  past  nevernl  iIh.yk  and  is  now  qnito  pleasiuit. — July  9:  Light  lains  in  early  a.  in.,  and 
beautiful  rosy  suntet.— July  li :  Light  to  gentle  rains.— July  liJ:  Light  to  gentle  rains. — July  H:  Light  rain  in  a. 
ni. — July  l(i:  Hard  shower  of  large  drojis  of  rain.— July  17  :  Hard  showers  of  rain. — July  18  :  Hard  showers  of  raiu. — 
July  ^1 :  Maxinuim  temperature  of  the  seasou  was  reached  to-day;  C5°.— July  24  :  Miixinium  temperature  of  70°  was 
reached  to-day ;  three  distinct  peals  of  thunder  from  a  cloud  in  the  southwest ;  no  lightning  observed.— July  20 : 
Showery  in  a.  m.  and  early  p.  ui. — July  27:  Drizzling  rains  all  day. — July  20:  .Showery  at  intervals.— July  30:  Light 
raiuM  ending  in  mist. — July  :tl :  Light  rains  at  tlinc. 

Al'GrST,  1874. 

August  1 :  Heavy  falls  of  rain  ;  showers  in  the  distance. — August  2:  Kain  in  the  distance. — August  3:  Kaiu  late 
in  p.  ni.— August  4  :  Hard  rain  to-day.— August  5 ;  Hard  gale  from  the  south  toward  noon  ;  raiu  at  intervals. — August 
d:  Light  showers  of  rain. — August/;  A  light  pale  blowing  at  2  p.  m. ;  light  misty  rain. — August  8:  A  light  rain  in  a, 
fii. — Ain;nst  11 :  Frequent  light  showers ;  bard  gale  from  the  south  after  noon. — August  12 :  Strong  galo  from  the  south 
by  2  p.  m. ;  light  rain  in  p.  m. — August  13:  Showery  at  interval.s. — August  14:  lieautiful  bands  of  cirro-cumulus 
clouds  having  their  texture  disposed  in  waves  iiud  tibers  in  all  directions. — August  18:  Fog  and  mist  in  late  p.  m. — 
August  19  :  Showers  of  light  character. — August  21 :  Light  galo  from  the  north. — August  22:  A  sharp  bail-storm  at 
3.24  p.  ni.  with  rnin,  lasting  until  3.42  p.  m. — August  23:  Red  glare  on  the  clouds  as  the  sun  neared  the  horizon  ;  a 
red  and  yellowish  rain-bow  a]>peBred,  accompanied  by  a  second,  which  lasted  but  a  few  miuutos. — August  27  :  A  very 
slight  rain  in  late  p.  m. — August  28:  Foggy  in  early  a.  m. — August  31  :  Foggy  in  early  a.  ni ;  a  light  raiu  in  early 
p.  m. 

8EPTEMBKK,  1874. 

September  2 :  Heavy  rain  iu  p.  m. — September  3 :  Frequent  showers  during  day.— September  7 :  Hard  rain  in  a. 
ni.  and  light  mistiness  in  p.  m. — September  10 :  Aurora  began  at  9.09  p.  m.,  lasting  until  0.25  a.  m.  of  September  11 ; 
it  began  as  a  single  arch  low  down,  a  second  arch  at  an  elevation  of  20 degrees  formed  soon  after;  a  third  arch  appeared 
after  a  few  minutes  at  an  elevation  of  40  degrees  ;  the  ends  of  the  three  arches  coalesced  at  their  eastern  parts  and  slowly 
vanished,  to  form  again  as  the  tirst  arch,  only  more  blight  in  color,  from  which  beams  shot  up  to  form  an  arch  at  60 
degrees  elevation  ;  between  tlieso  tw  o  arches  slender  beams  constantly  played  ;  one  long  beam  touched  the  easteru  end 
of  the  two  arches  and  rnjiidly  (;wept  their  entire  length,  and  disappeared  beneath  the  western  horizon;  after  this 
beam  bad  disappeared  the  auroral  urcli  subsiiled  into  a  state  of  passiveiiess,  which  gradually  faded  into  an  auroral 
haze. — .September  11  :  The  auroral  haze  of  yesterday  lasted  only  twenty-live  minutes  after  the  beginning  of  the  day.— 
September  12:  An  aurora  similar  to  the  ore  witnessed  on  the  10th  instant  was  observed  this  evening;  the  color  was 
a  ycllowish-greeu.— September  13:  Very  dry  to-day  ;  the  cistern  of  the  hygrometer  had  to  be  filled  twice  ;  the  lowest 
humidity  was  at  12  ni.,  showing  ouly  35.9  per  cent,  of  moisture  iu  the  atmosphere. — September  14  :  A  very  light  frost 
was  observed  this  morning. — September  15  :  A  dense  fog  in  the  day  ;  a  light  frost  in '  the  early  a.  m. — September  17  : 
Showery  during  the  day. — September  27  :  Light  spit  of  snow  during  the  night. — September  28 :  Light  gale  from  the 
northeast ;  beautiful  display  of  cirri  clouds  at  7  a.  m. 

OCTOBER,  1874. 

October  1 :  Suow  fell  heavily  about  18  miles  cast  of  here.— October  2 :  Few  flakes  of  snow  fell  at  9  p.  m.— October 
4  :  An  aurora  consisting  of  three  well  detiucd  arches  with  numerous  streamers  moving  from  east  to  west  lasted  until 
4  a.  m.  of  October  5.— October  5  :  The  auroia  of  yesterday  evening  lasted  until  4  a.  m.  to-day  ;  but  little  disturbance 
was  shown.— October  8  :  Alight  snow-fall  tu-day. --October  It:  A  light  spit  of  snow  in  the  late  p.m. — October  13  : 
Several  Huft's  of  snow  fell  at  intervals.- October  14:  Light  suow  at  times.- Octolier  15:  Rather  heavy  snow-fall  dur- 
ing the  day'.— October  17:  Beantilul  gulden  huurise.- October  18 :  Hard  tnow-storni  in  p.  m. — October  19:  Spits  of 
snow  fell  during  the  day :  some  small  pieces  of  tloatiug  ice  were  seen  in  the  bay, — October  20 :  Snow  fell  quite  rapidly 
8.  Mis.  165 2  17 


, g.a,  ■■inj^.i'jLij  laft-jujiuJi-i 


n 


C0NT1UBUT10N8  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


f 


Hi! 


i 


h 


to-(luy.— Octobor  Ul :  A  light  gale  ttoiu  the  south. —October  2:i:  A  light  gale  Increaalag  to  a  storm  rat«  ])r«vailed 
to-day ;  Hnnw  and  raiu  foil  nearly  all  day. — October  'H  :  A  Htrong  galu  I'roni  the  Kiiitheaiit ;  HhowxrH  of  rnin,  changed 
to  niiatiiieiui  in  late  p.  ni.— October  26  :  Strong  Htorni  fioni  thi>  Konth,  increasing  to  H7  miles  per  hour  at  7  a.  m  ;  mod- 
erato<l  after  noon  ;  rain  fell  in  a.  ni. — October  2(t :  Very  high  tldu  to-diiy  caused  by  the  south  wind  of  the  25th. — October 
S7:  Strong  storm  of  wind  from  the  south  ;  severe  Hhowers  ot  rain  in  p.  ui.  and  mistiuesM  in  a.  ni. — October  29:  Very 
heavy  fall  of  snow. — October  'M :  Much  snow  full  to-diiy.— October  :il :  Light  spit  of  snow  to-day. 

NOVKMHER,  1874. 

Novembers:  Snow  nuOtod  slightly  to-day. — November  4;  Snow  foil  lightly  to-day. — November  6:  Snow  fell 
lightly;  largo  jiioces  of  ice  have  been  observed  floating  in  tlie  bii,\  ;  a  pale  auroral  arch  of  yellowish  color  was 
seen  this  evening. — November  7  :  Alight  gale  from  the  Nonth;  heavy  fall  of  snow  occurred.— November  8:  A  brisk 
gale  from  the  northeast  in  p.  m.  ;  a  pale  parhelion  wiin  oliHerved  ut  1.4S  p.  m. — November  i):  A  fearful  gale  fk'om  the 
northeast  increaHing  to  the  strongest  storm  rato.— Novenil)er  1(1:  Wind  .lortheast  to  south,  high  to  a  gale  rate. — No- 
vember 11:  Gale  from  the  south;  light  fall  of  Know  ;  Honio  thaw  in  exposed  places. — November  12:  Strong  gale 
from  the  south  ;  a  lew  drops  of  rnin  fell  in  p.  m.— Novcmlier  111 :  Gnle  of  wind  from  the  south. — November  14  :  Mod- 
erate gale  blowing  from  the  northeast. — Novenilter  l.'i:  Stronger  gnle  from  the  northeast;  lighter  gale  from  the 
south. — Noveuilier  It! :  Strong  gale  from  the  south;  beautiful  red  Hunrise. — November  17:  Gole  from  the  south  early 
in  a.  m.  ;  ice  in  the  bay  rapidly  breaking  up  and  going  out  to  Hca. — November  18  :  A  light  gale  in  the  middle  of  the 
p.  m.,  increased  to  a  strong  gale;  light  Huowt'ull  to-diiy.— Noveuilier  10:  Very  high  barometer  (:t0.7D3)  to-day. — 
November  2U  :  Ice  in  the  buy  coalesced  during  the  night. — November  21 :  A  light  gale  from  the  northeast ;  ice  in  the 
bay  is  breaking  into  slush. — November  23 :  A  (;itle  blowing  from  the  northeast  all  day  ;  a  pale  aurora  was  seen  in  the 
early  evening;  the  bright  moonlight  prevented  it  being  readily  seen.-November  24:  Alight  gale  from  the  north- 
east.— November  29:  A  few  irregular  flashes  of  auroral  light  were  seen  this  evening. — November  30:  Beautiful  red 
'  aunrise ;  a  pale  aurora  was  observed  at  10.20  p.  m. 

DECEMBER,  1874. 

December  1 :  Decrease  of  temperature  caused  great  dcpoHits  of  frost  spiculie  on  the  hairs,  feathers,  and  nail-heads. — 
December  2 :  A  moderate  fall  of  snow  in  a.  m. — December  4:  A  parhelion  was  observed  at  1.45  p.  m. — December 
6:  A  gale  blowing  from  tho  east. — December  6:  A  strong  gale  from  tlio  northeast  in  p.  m. ;  a  faint  auroral  glow  was 
observed  from  5  to  10  p.  m. — December  7:  a  ntrong  gale  from  the  south  in  p.  m. ;  large  masses  of  snow  iViI. — 
Decembers:  A  slight  auroral  display  was  observed  at  9.;10  p.  in. — I)ecemli«r9:  Strong  gale  from  the  northeast  • 
deep  flory-red  suiiHct. — December  14 :  High  gale  from  the  northeast;  a  niagniflcent  auroral  display  of  five  perfect 
arches,  commencing  as  pale,  titful  streaks  nnd  grnduuUy  UNHuniing  arches;  held  this  position  with  little  disturbance 
until  4  a.  m.  of  December  LI. — December  1-^' :  A  strong  gusty  gale  from  the  northeast ;  the  aurora  observed  yesterday 
continued  until  4  a,  m.  to-day  ;  a  second  aiii(ira,conHi»itingof  tlio  same  number  of  arches  and  relative  position  in  the 
heavens,  was  seen  from  .t.'M  p.  m.  to  11.30  p.  m.  of  to-day. — December  Iti :  IVw  flakes  of  snow  ;  lunar  corona  of  fine 
coloration  when  the  clouds  pass  the  face  of  the  moon. — Decemlter  17  :  Brilliant  parhelia  in  p.  m, ;  the  one  to  the  left 
south  of  the  Hun  had  about  30  degrees  of  the  parbelic  circle  well  develojied. — December  18  :  Magnificent  displays  of  cirri 
olouds. — December  19  :  High  storm  of  wind  from  the  northeast ;  very  gusty. — December  20  :  Wet  snow  fell  during  the 
night;  a  beautiful  lunar  corona  at  9.30  p.  ni. — December  21  :  Great  quantities  of  frost  spiculie  were  formed;  snow 
fell  in  small  ainouutH. — December  22:  Snow  fell  in  consideralile  amount. — December  23:  A  strong  storm  from  the 
south  during  day ;  a  light  amount  of  snow  fell. — December  24 :  A  strong  hurricane  from  the  south ;  maximum 
velocity  recorded  was  89  miles  per  hour;  tho  ice  in  the  bay  was  thrown  in  huge  blocks  upon  the  shore;  the  tide 
rose  the  highest  it  has  been  known  for  years  ;  a  light  rnin  fell  at  times. — December  25 :  High  to  a  low  gale  from  the 
■outb;  heavy  fnll  of  snow. — December  27:  A  fearful  hurricane  prevailed,  attaining  a  rate  of  94  miles  nor  hour  at 
5.24  p.  m.  ;  the  snow  was  whirled  in  blinding  drifts. — December  28:  Low  gale  of  wind  from  S.  to  NW. — December 
31 :  Beautiful  sunrise ;  an  aurora  of  slight  intensity  was  observed  this  evening, 

JANUARY,  1875. 

January  1 :  Gale  from  the  northeast ;  a  slight  tinge  of  an  nurorn  at  5.25  p.  m..  lasting  until  1.45  a.  m,  of  January 
2. — January  2:  Strong  gale  from  the  east,  increasing  ton  Hlonn  rate;  aurora  of  yesterday  evening  disappeared  at 
1.45  a.m.  to-day.— Jaiinory  3:  Brisk  gale  from  the  northeast;  finely  developed  twilight  curve  this  evening. — Januory 
7 :  Moderate  snow-fall  from  3  n.'ni.  to  3.20  p.  ni. — January  9 :  High  gale  during  latter  part  of  the  day  ;  light  amounts 
of  snow  fell. — January  10:  Strong  gale  from  the  northeast  in  early  n.  m. ;  a  magnificent  rain-bow  this  a.  m. ;  the 
colors  were  the  brightest  I  ever  witnessed  ;  three  bows  vere  developed. — January  II  :  Strong  gale  from  the  east  nnd 
southeast;  rain  and  sleet  fell  in  light  quantities. — Janniiry  12:  Beautiful  sunrise  of  gold  and  red. — January  14:  A 
magnificent  sunrise  of  bright  flame-color,  the  clouds  having  di.,.ortud  edges  of  lighter  color, — January  IC:  Beautiful 
display  of  upper  clouds. — January  17  :  Dense  fog  covered  everything  with  spicula'  of  frost. — January  18 :  A  fog-bank 
passed  byat  2  p.  m.,  covering  everything  with  frost  crystals.— January  19:  Bnuntifiil  lunar  corona  of  vivid  prismatio 
colors  this  evening,  caused  by  the  white  stratus  clouds  passing  the  moon's  disk. — January  20:  Faint  lunar  halo  at  9 
p.  m. — January  21 :  High  winds  caused  much  light  snow  to  be  drifted  into  the  air  and  caused  the  production  of  • 
halo  of  22  degrees,  the  lower  part  of  which  was  cut  off  by  the  earth  ;  the  sun  is  too  low  all  to  be  represented ;  the 
ends  could  bo  seen  between  the  hills  and  myself;  the  upper  side  of  tho  halo  was  also  cut  oft'  as  the  particles  of 
drif^'.ng  snow  were  not  at  times  carried  high  enough  into  the  air  to  produce  a  complete  circle  above  the  suu.  —January 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


19 


93 :  Solar  halo  pnrtinlly  viBiblo  In  imrly  a.  m.— Jitiiimry  8:) :  Tliiit  nioriiiiig,  a*  the  inn  ruMi,  a  briglit  perilielloii  with  10 
dogieea  of  tlin  |mrbi>llo  circle  waH  forninil ;  »t  tlic  iiioiiicnf  of  ^rcatunt  briKlitnesN  the  hiiii  apponrcil  iloiibli;  lik«  a  flgnn) 
H  Nomewhat  approtiiMMl,  tin-  lower  waH  tlin  triio  hiiii,  wliilx  the  nppur  waa  the  mock  hiiii  ;  tliii  tciiipnrntiirH  hnH  bouii 
OH  low  aH  — IW  In  tho  poHt  twenty-four  Iioiiib. — Jiiiiiiiiry  iil ;  'I'lio  tciiipurature  wont  iw  low  aa  — :t7^  to-tlay. — January 
US:  A  high  gnic  from  the  northeast  iiicreiiHiMl  to  a  Htorni  rate  from  the  south;  much  hiiow  ilrlfteil  during  the  day. — 
Jnnnary3(>:  Strong  guHty  Htorm  from  the  miuth ;  iiiiii'li  drifting  Hnow.— .lannary  27:  Strong  gale  from  the  east  and 
southeast;  a  slight  driczle  of  rain  in  p.  m.— Jaiiiinry  2)?:  Strong  gale  from  HE.  to  S. ;  beautiful  display  of  upper 
clouds. — January  '29 :  Qale  of  variable  rate  from  H.  to  HW.— January  30 :  Strong  gale  from  the  south.— Jannary  'il ; 
Strong  gale  from  the  northeast;  beautiful  red  siiiiNet. 

FEBKUAKY.  1875. 

Febriinry  1:  High  uortheast  gale.;  a  most  extravagant  display  of  upper  clouds  until  3  p.  m. ;  snow  fell  at  4 
p.  m.  of  light  character. — February  2:  Much  drifting  hiiow  from  the  high  winds. — February  11:  Ligtit  gale  from  the 
south. — February  4:  Very  light  gale  from  NIC.  to  K. — I'Vliriiiiry  .'• :  Onle  of  light  character  from  the  northeast. — 
February  6:  A  strong  gule  from  the  noitheaHt ;  an  aurora  began  at  'J.'Xt  p.  m.,  appearing  hood  after  like  heavy 
drapery  moved  by  a  high  wind. — February  7  :  A  light  gale  rate  of  wind  prevailed  at  times;  eleven  bright  bands  of 
cirri  haze  appeared  when  the  sun  w'as  within  3  degreen  of  sotting;  they  wore  35  degrees  high,  and  apparently  convergent 
opposite  the  siiu. — February  S :  A  strong  gale  from  thenoutli. — February  !):  A  moderate  gale  blow  from  the  northeast 
and  east. — February  10:  A  furious  gale  in  p.  ni.  from  tlio  south;  frecinent  spits  of  snow.— February  12  :  A  brisk  gale 
from  the  northeast.- February  l;t:  Today  was  ho  warm  and  pleasant  that  a  tly  ventured  out  in  my  room. — February 
14  :  A  light  gale  from  the  east;  a  jiale  liinnr  halo  at  ti  p.  m. — February  15:  A  Htrong  gale  from  the  southeast. — Feb- 
ruary 1C:  A  light  gale  from  the  northeast;  few  Hakes  of  snow  fell;  a  halo  and  bright  corona  around  he  moon  at 
8.15  p.  111. — February  17:  Strong  gale  from  SK.  to  S\V.  ;  few  liakcH  of  snow  fell;  lunar  corona  and  halo  this  oven- 
lug. — February  18:  Fr')st  Hpicula-  In  moderate  qnantitieH  formed  on  diflerent  objects  to-day. — February  19:  Alight 
gale  from  the  northeast  drifted  much  falling  snow. — February  20:  A  strong  gale  from  the  northeast;  much  snow 
was  drifted.- February  21 :  Much  drifting  of  hiiow  I'roiii  the  light  gale  of  wind  from  the  northea.st. — February  22 : 
OuNty  gale  from  the  northeast;  snow  <lrifte(l  t'urioiiHly. — February  23:  Gale  to  a  storm  rate  of  wind  from  the  south. 
Snow  fell  in  \t.  m.,  but  was  drifted. — Fobniary  24:  Snow  fell,  but  was  drifted. — February  25:  A  variable  gale  from 
NE.to  K. — February  20:  Strong  storm  of  wind  from  N.  to  NE.  ;  an  aurora  was  visible  at  7  p.  m.,  beginning  as  a  low 
thin,  pale  yellowish  arch,  broken  in  the  center;  thise  ends  soon  united,  and  from  which  three  other  arches  appeared 
and  ext«nded  across  the  heavens  for  35  degrees  south  of  the  /.enith,  and  about  the  same  distance  north  of  the  zenith  ; 
the  center  was  somowhut  broken,  the  brightest  part  being  near  30  degrees  from  the  center;  at  7.;15  p.  m.  the  southern 
arch  disappeared,  the  band  intersecting  the  zenith  had  much  faded;  the  one  at  about  03  degrees  elevation  had  also 
decreased  in  brilliancy ;  the  decrcuNe  of  inteimity  of  thone  three  niclies  He-  ined  toangmeut  the  power  of  the  lower  arch; 
at  the  same  time  the  dark  segment  appeared  well  detiiied ;  at  !•  p.  m.  tin  remaining  arch  began  to  send  up  streamers 
which,  faint  at  first,  soon  became  very  brilliant  and  gathered  in  the  zenith  (really  slightly  east  of  it  about  11  degrees) 
to  form  a  magnificent  corona  with  east  and  west  extciisionH;  the  cupola  broke  at  9.40  p.  m.,  forming  a  leng  arch  with  its 
center  in  tho  zenith;  this  arch  was  of  a  briglit  Hiilplinr-yellow ;  a  few  minutes  elapsed  and  tho  arch  was  broken 
into  disconnected  beams  which  rapidly  vanished,  so  that  by  1.30  a.  m.  of  February  27  it  had  completely  disappeared. — 
February  27 :  Strong  gale  from  the  north  in  tho  early  part  of  the  a.  in  ;  a  slight  trace  of  yesterday  evening's  aurora 
was  visible  this  morning  early  ;  a  pale  aurora  was  observed  this  evening  at  9,15  p.  m. — February  28:  Considerable 
vertical  mirage  this  morning ;  a  pale  aurora  from  8.20  p.  in.  to-diiy  lasted  until  3  a.  m.  of  March  1. 


MARCH.  1875. 

March  1 :  Strong  gusty  gale  from  the  luu-tli  ami  northeast,  a  pale  ill-defined  aurora  from  9.30  p.  m.  to  10.40 
p.  m.— March  2 :  Beautiful  twilight  curve  this  evening  ;  a  pale  aurora  of  a  single  arch  from  7.25  p.  ni.  to  11.40  p.  m. — 
March  3:  Aurora  of  a  single  arch  was  visible  from  10.15  p.  m.  until  3.25  a.  m.  of  March  4. — March  4:  Tho  aurora  of 
yesterday  evening  continued  nntil  3.25  a.  m.  to-day.— March  ti :  A  ])alo  aurora  at  8.15  p.  in.  consisting  of  ill-defined  frag- 
ments with  few  "dancers  "on  tho  eastern  cxtreuiity. — March  '  :  A  pale  aurora  from  7.45  p.m.  to  11.55  p.  in.  was  obscured 
by  clouds. — March  8  :  A  low  storm  of  wind  blew  gustily  from  E.  to  NE.— March  9:  A  hard  wind-atorin  blow  from  var- 
ious points  of  the  compass.— March  10  :  A  gUHty  gale  to  a  high  storm  rate  of  wind  from  tho  south  and  southwest; 
maximum  velocity  of  71  miles  per  hour  was  rcg;:jti;rcd  at  1.30  p.  m.  little  more  fell  and  some  melted  in  exposed 
places. — March  11:  A  high,  gusty  gale  from  tho  south,  largo  Hakes  of  snow  fell  plentifully,  but  was  drifted. — 
March  12:  Much  gustiness  of  wind;  air  full  of  frost-films;  two  halos,  <me  of  22  degrees  and  one  of  46  degrees, 
formed  round  tho  sun;  parhelia  formed  on  tho  inner  halo.— March  14:  Gusty  gale  from  the  northeast ;  fantastic 
arrangements  of  upper  clouds  prevailed  to-day. — March  15:  A  brisk  gale  from  the  northeast ;  snow  fell  at  a  distance. — 
March  16:  A  high  gale  rate  of  wind  prevailed  from  the  northeast.- March  17:  Much  snow  fell  to-day,  drifting  furi- 
ously.— March  18:  Gusty  gale  from  N.  to  W. ;  snow  fell  in  abundance,  but  was  drifted. — March  19:  A  moderate 
gale  of  wind  from  the  north;  air  full  of  frozen  vapor,  making  a  faint  parhelion;  at  sunset  a  faint  arc  of  a  halo  of  22 
degrees  was  observed ;  a  single  arch  of  an  aurora  was  seen  frcm  10. 15  p.  m.  to  11 ,45  p.  m .  when  it  was  obscured  by  clouds.— 
Harch  21 :  A  perfect  halo  of  22  degrees  was  formed  around  the  hiiu  at  2  p.  m, — March  22  :  Considerable  mirage  from  7 
to  8  a.  m. — March  23  :  A  strong  storm  rate  of  wind  from  tho  west ;  the  ice  in  the  sea  at  the  northeast  point  of  Saint 
Michael  Isiand  moved  out  to-day. — March  24  :  A  strong  storm  of  wind  prevailed  from  the  northeast ;  much  snow 
drifted,— March  25 :  A  strong  gale  from  the  north  in  the  early  part  of  the  day ;  much  snow  drifted ;  a  halo  of  22  degrees 


fp^p 


i   ■ 


"h 


11 


1    M 


« 


to 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


•nd  or4n  dPgrerH  fiinnrd  iiroiiiiil  tlin  Hiin  ;  an  tlu<  niiii  Hiiiik  liciii'iitli  tint  liiiriioii  n  I'nnirni  )i(>Hm  Rhnt  up  for  7  ripftrpei 
•nd  :)  degrei.H  wide  nt  iIik  liori/.on,  I'liitiiKi^d  to  ii  nmikIi'  vortical  lii'nin  it'  13  di'Krefi*  IiIkIi  nit  tti«  miii  fiirl1i)«r  dlHap. 
pearod. — Mnroh  !tll:  Vitriiilily  IIkIh  to  n  HtniiiK  ka'"  >'"'<'  '^^  iiiti'iviri  pioviilhMl  from  H.  tn  SW.  ;  iit  l.4r<  p.m.  n 
■plundiil  itrriiiKcmi'iit  iil  liuliiit  iif  'J*j  <l<'((ri'<'H  iiinl  4<i  df);n'i'ii  wftli  piirlielln  at  thn  InlcDH-fltioii  witli  tint  parlinlly 
fornivd  pnrlii'lk'  rircio  wiih  iiiterriiptitd  willi  liriikcii  MtriitiiH.  — Miircli  UT  :  An  niirora  of  h  poorly  tlelliicd  arcli  will)  fow 
"daiicnm"  iitid  MiihIh  h  IiisIimI  Iroiii  H,40  p.  m.  to  :i.4.'>  a.  m.  of  Miiroli  V!H.--Miirr1i  UN:  Tlut  aurora  of  ycnlcrday  evpiiiiiK 
laNtnd  until  '•iAtt  a.  iii.  of  today  ;  an  aurora  of  IV«lili>  iiitciiHity  lic^tiu  at  H,l>l)  p.  m.,  dlHappcariuf;  at  I  l.tW  p.  m. — Marnh 
30:  A  high  ga\f  pnnailcd  early  in  tho  day  from  the  nonlli;  tini'  nih>\v  wan  drifliMl  from  Ihu  iiky  for  thngrnatur  part  of 
tho  day ;  a  halo  of  'J*J  di>)(ri'('H  and  ono  of  Hi  dcKrcoH  fornntd  round  tln>  nun  ;  parhnlia  formud  on  the  hnlo  of  'HI  ditKrona ; 
a  pair  aurora  of  ii  Hin^lc  arch  from  H.;|0  p.  in.  to  :i.:ir>  a.  m.  of  March  ;il.— Man  h  III  :  An  aurora,  the  continuation  of 
the  ono  seen  March  'M,  InHtcd  until  ;i.:ir>  a,  ni.  of  to-dny  ;  duiin);  thiH  nn)nth  ho  much  huow  lian  drftf>d  that  nieiwurr)- 
ineutd  huTu  not  hoen  at  all  tinniH  )io88ihle, 

Ai'Kii.,  isrr.. 

April  1 :  A  hurricane  klowiuK  from  the  south ;  much  Hin)\v  llyiu);  in  tliu  air. — April  'i:  A  hurricnnu  from  theiouth, 
blowing  at  a  rat»<  of  H6  mileM  nt  tinieit ;  icii  in  the  hcu  brcukinK  up.— April  It:  A  hurriuano  ruto  of  wind  from  the  Houth, 
blowing  86  niilcH  per  hour  at  itH  maximnin  ;  nnow  on  the  ground  ncaVly  gone  ;  much  ice  in  the  sea  Ima  moved  out.— 
April  4:  A  Htorniy  gale  from  the  Houth ;  much  huow  fell  and  drifted. — April  Ti:  A  high  gale  early  in  a.  m.  from  thn 
south  ;  much  snow  fell  and  drifted. — April  tl :  (JuHty  gale  vutc  of  wind  from  N.  to  NK. ;  an  aurora  was  viHilile  from  9 
p.  Ml.  to  3.1U  a.  in.  of  April  7;  no  arch  waH  foi'me<l ;  a  grand  display  id'  NtreainerH  and  lieaiiiH  taking  the  form  of 
drajiery  moved  by  thu  wind. — April  7 :  Auiora  of  ycHleiday  evening  continued  until  11.10  h.  in.  of  to-day  ;  an  aurora 
diniilar  to  the  one  recorded  ycHterday  wav  Keen  tluH  evening  from  i)  p.  in.  to  2.W5  a.  m.  of  April  8;  it  bud  a  horse- 
shoo  form  and  coimtantly  waved  back  and  forth,  xuliHiding  to  a  lia/.e  and  reappearing. — April',):  Aiirorii  of  Ajiril  H 
disappeared  at  U.'jr>  a.  m. ;  an  aurora  of  slight  InleiiHity  wits  ol)served  from  10.10  p.  in.  to  11.42  p.  in.— April  13:  A 
low  gale  rate  of  wind  from  various  iinarteis;  a  light  spit  of  huow.- April  1.");  Much  frost  in  tho  air. — April  l(j ;  A 
strong  gale  from  the  HouthwcNt. — Ajiril  17  :  A  light  gale  from  S.  to  8W. ;  Inrgu  (lakes  of  snow  fell. — April  18 :  A  light 
fog  in  the  oveuing  ;  uincli  frontiness  in  the  uir.  —April  I'J  :  FoggineHs  all  the  early  a.  m  ;  considerable  thaw  to-duy. — 
April  'M:  Large  Hakes  of  snow  fell  irregularly. — April  '.'5:  Litllc  snow  fell  in  large  Hakes. — April  '26:  A  dense  fog  in 
early  a.  m. ;  a  light  gale  froi  thu  north  toward  noon  ;  much  thawing;  pulo  solar  halo. — April  37  :  Hard  storm  of  wind 
from  the  north  and  uortht>,.<4t ;  snow  fell  in  light  amountH.— April  '^8:  A  light  gale  from  the  east  and  northeast; 
beautiful  display  of  upper  clouds. — April  3'J:  Snow  rapidly  inciting '  ijuite  warm  to-day;  sviaiiB  {Olor  ooliimbianiit) 
arrived  to-day. — April  30 :  A  strong  gale  from  NK.  to  K. 

MAY,  1875. 

May  1 :  A  gusty  gale  from  the  northeast,  at  times  attaining  a  storm  rate.  — May  2 :  A  Ntorin  rate  of  wind  from  the 
northeast. — May  3  :  A  low  storm  of  wind  at  noon. — May  4  :  A  gule  rate  of  wind  from  the  northeast ;  at  5.84  p.  m.  a 
bright  halo  of  22  degrees  having  biilliant  parht-lia  at  the  interNcction  of  the  parlielic  circle  and  n  very  bright  parhelion 
at  the  intersection  of  the  vertical  beam. — May  fi:  Kolur  halo  of  23  degrees  attended  by  brighter  parhelia  in  tho  early 
p.  m. — May  8 :  Some  of  the  larger  wutor-fowl  arrived  this  week. — May  10 :  I'og  during  the  early  p.  in.—  May  1(> :  Several 
species  of  loud  birds  have  arrived  ;  the  unfavorable  weather  has  been  much  against  their  coming.— May  17:  Little  snow 
to-day. — Moy  18:  Half  an  inch  of  snow  fell  during  the  day. — May  lit:  Consideroble  snow  fell  during  the  night.— May 
21 :  A  heavy  fall  of  snow  in  early  a.  m. — May  23:  A  few  radishes,  lettuce,  and  cabbages  growing  tinely  in  the  hot- 
bed.—May  27  :  Dense  fog  in  late  p.  m. — May  28:  Dense  fog  prevailed. — May  29:  Several  additional  birds  arrived  this 
week,  among  them  were  snipe  and  a  blackbird;  a  light  gale  prevailcdcarly  in  a.  m.  from  the  south. — May  30:  Light 
gule  from  the  south. — May  31 :  A  light  gale  from  the  southwest. 

JUNE,  1875. 

June  1 :  Ice  has  agoin  accumulated  toseawnrd.- June2  :  Several  lepidopterstlying around  to-day. — June  3:  Grass 
and  few  flowering  plants  are  beginning  to  show  above  ground.— June  4 :  A  strong  gale  from  N.  to  S.  viii  E.  blowing.  — 
June  5:  Warm  and  pleasant. — June?:  Several  light  showers  of  rain. — June  8:  Rain  of  light  to  moderate  character 
all  day. — June  9:  Light  rain  during  day;  fog  prevailed  at  times. — June  10:  Fog  at  times. — June  12  :  Ice  in  the  bay 
breaking  into  small  pieces ;  a  light  frost  last  night ;  few  flowers  in  blossom. — June  14  :  Two  vessels  reported  in  night  as 
being  far  out  to  sea ;  they  name  through  the  broken  ice  by  evening. — June  15 :  A  moderate  gale  from  the  south  and 
sothwcst  took  out  the  ice  in  the  bay ;  also  the  two  vessels,  which  sustained  no  harm ;  a  severe  thunder-storm  occurred 
in  the  early  p.  m.— June  IG  :  Attempts  to  reach  the  vessels  were  frustrated  by  tho  pack-ice. — June  18 :  Strong  gale  from 
the  east  and  southeast.— June  19  :  Very  gusty  wind  to-day  from  SE.  to  8. ;  ice  still  jammed  in  the  bay. — June  20  :  A 
hard  storm  of  wind  from  the  southeast ;  ice  in  the  bay  dashed  to  pieces  by  the  waves  and  rapidly  disappearing. — June 
24 :  Bain  fell  of  light  character. — June  38 :  Strong  gale  from  tho  south. 

JULY,  1875. 

July  8:  Light  shower  of  rain. — July  9:  Light  gale  early  in  p.  in, ;  rain  of  light  character  fell. — July  1":  Strong 
gale  from  the  southeast ;  light  rain  fell.— July  12 :  Very  light  raiu-fall ;  strong  gale  from  the  south,— July  13 : 
Strong  gale  ;  light  rainfall. — July  14 :  Light  gale  from  the  north. — July  15:  Moderate  raiu-fall. — July  17  :  High  gale 
from  the  southwest.— July  18:  Strong  gale  from  the  northeast,— July  20:  A  strong  gale  (rom  the  south ;  hard  rain- 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HiaTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


21 


fall.— .Inly  8ri:  l.txlit  Rale  frnm  tli«  iinrtli  — July  4tl:  IIIkIi  K^l"  from  tlio  iiiirtlifnnt ;  Ktii<  twillKlit  viirvx,— July '/7: 
A  K»i«  of  varlHlilit  rate  from  tlio  iiortlimtHt:  t)-m|ier»tiire  7()^  to-duy.— July  UH:  Tnm|H'rntnru  70'  to-ilay.— July  :10: 
8tioii){  Hlorm  of  wind  from  llitt  Month;  hard  raiu  late  in  p.  m.— July  :il :  (lukty  Httirni  of  wimi  from  the  MUth  ;  much 
rain  fell  at  inlervaU. 

ArOlIST,  lH7r.. 

AuKUHt  !i:  A  Mronj;  Mtonii  ralp  of  wind  from  H.  to  K\V.— Au^umI  :I  :  Htorm  rain  of  wind,  vi-ry  unMy  ;  ruin  fell  in 
lijjlit  i|unntilrt'.— AuKMHt  4:  Mnderati"  Mtoriu  rate  of  wind  from  tlinHoulli;  lu-iivy  ruin.— AumiHt  fi:  Heavy  ruin  fall.— 
AnKUht  7:  IliKli  Kulf  lato  of  wind  from  tin'  houIIi.— AujtnHt  10:  SeviTul  light  hIiowith  of  ruin.-  AuKUtt  1!:  Hi({h  Kal" 
from  tho  south;  llxht  ruin-full.— AngUHt  18;  Stronn  Mtoriu  of  wind  from  8.  to  H\V  ;  heavy  raiuH  in  tlio  dlHtunee.— 
AuKnxt  i;i:  A  hurd  iihower  of  rain  in  early  p.  m.  — AuKUHt  17:  MkIiI  ruin  lute  in  p.  ni.— AuKUMt  IM:  I.ijjht  ruin  in  early 
a.  m.— AiiKUHt  yS;  A  liuht  gale  from  8.  to  E  — Anmmt  84:  A  heavy  dunh  of  ruin  in  u.  m.— AukunI  811:  A  liglit  ruin  in 
p.  m.— AngUHt  87:  Hish  Rale  from  tli«  en8t.--Au({nBt  8H:  Slronn  hnnieuin!  from  the  xouth  ;  n  nntximum  veloeity  of 
81  miluH  per  hour  waH  ohtainud  ;  light  ruin  fell.— AngnHt  8t):  A  Hlrong  gulu  from  the  HouthweHt  and  went ;  li(|ht  raiii- 
AU. 

.SEI'TKMHKK,  1875. 

Qoptemhor  1:  A  high  gale  from  the  euHt;  light  rain  in  p.  m.— Septcmher  8:  Light  rain  in  a.  m.— Soptemher  U : 
Moderate  ruin-fall ;  u  pulo  areh  of  nn  nnroru  wan  Heen  from  8.30  p.  m.,  until  10  p.  m.,  when  clondH  oljHenrud.— Septeni- 
lier  .'■>:  Hard  showern  in  p.  ni.— September  (1:  llurd  ruin  in  a.  m.— Seplemlier  7  :  Light  rain  in  middle  of  day.— Septem- 
lierH:  .Slnni;;  gale  from  tJie  HOUthweMt;  briglit  uuriira  partially  olweured  hy  clondM. — September  10;  Strong  gule 
ft-om  8.  to  8\V. — September  M:  Light  to  high  gah'M  from  the  MiutheuHt.— Septemlier  ir>:  Moderute  gale  from  the  Honlh- 
eaHt.— .September  Hi:  Strong  Htorm  of  wiml  from  S.  to  8W.— September  17:  BriHk  gale  from  810.  to  K.— September  18: 
Huin  of  uHidenite  character  in  p.  m.— Septi'uiher  1"J:  Moderute  ruin  in  u.  m.— September  80:  Kog  in  eurly  a.  in. — Seji- 
tember81;  Fiery-red  and  gold  HuiiHi't.— September  88;  Light  gale  from  the  northeuHt ;  sea  very  rough.- Seplomber 
8:t:  Strong  gale  from  NE.  to  E.— September  84:  GuNty  gales  from  the  northeast  ;  sea  water  very  turbid. — Septumber 
a.""):  Coppiry  red  sunset.— September  87:  Strong  gale  from  the  northeaNt;  light  ruin  in  p.  in.-- -Septomber  80:  Moder- 
ute ruin-full. 

OCTOHEK,  187r>. 

October  4  :  Anroru  of  a  single  arch  visible  from  H.IJO  p.  ni.  to8  a.  m.  of  October  .■). — October  r> :  Aurora  of  yester- 
day contiuucd  until  8  p.  m  ;  aurora  visible  this  morning,  consisting  of  tlire<^  pale  arches,  lusting  until  midnight; 
high  gale  in  p.  m.  northeast. — October  (i:  Strong  storm  from  the  northeast ;  niiroruof  a  single  arch  from  H  p.  m. 
until  dnylight  of  October  7. — October  7  ;  Keurfnl  surges  of  storm  rnte  of  winds  from  tlie  norlln'a.st  ;  brilliant  Huuset ; 
thin  tilms  of  ice  on  the  shallow  pools,  aurora  of  October  6  continued  withrnt  change  until  daylight. — Octol)er8: 
high  gale  rate  of  wiml  from  the  northenst ;  water  in  the  buy  very  low  ;  heavy  ice  on  the  fresh  water.— Oitober 'J  : 
High  gale  of  wind  from  8E.  to  8. :  snow  fell  in  the  distunce.— October  11 :  nrilliant  meteor  in  the  Houthcast  at  D.ltH  p. 
ni. — Oet<d)cr  V.i:  High  gale  from  tho  northeast.— October  14:  Light  ruin  in  p.  in.— October  U>:  Light  ruin  in  a.  m. — 
October  16 :  Strong  gale  from  the  north.  —October  17:  High  gale  from  the  northeast  ;  light  snow-full  and  sleet  ;  wuter 
very  low  in  the  bay. — October  ID:  Heavy  frost  last  night. — October  8.^>;  Vvyf  tlukes  of  snow.  — October  8<i:  Spits  of 
sleet  and  snow.— Octolior  80:  High  to  a  strong  gule  fVoin  the  south  ;  snow  fell,  changing  to  ruin,  which  froze  fast  us 
it  fell ;  misty  raiu  in  lute  p.  ni. — October  DO:  Light  galo  from  the  southwest;  snow  and  rain  tell  lightly  ;  ice  making 
in  the  sea  next  the  iihore. 

NOVEMBEU,  1875. 

November  1 ;  A  high  gule  from  the  northeust  auroral  arch  in  the  cveni'  irtially  obscured  by  clouds. — November 
2:  Aurora  of  yesterday  emitiniied  until  4..')0  a.m.  to-day;  auroral  haze  was  observed  at  lO.lU)  p.  in. — November;!: 
Auroral ha/.e  from  6.80  p.  m.  to  U  p.  in. — November  4:  Light  gale  from  the  sontliwcst ;  ice  forming  <[uite  heavily  in  the 
bay  ;  snow  fell,  but  was  drifted, — November  5 :  Little  snow  and  sleet  fell  in  a.  in  ;  a  pule  auroral  glow  in  late  p.  m. — 
November  6 :  Several  sleet  squalls  of  light  character. — November  8  :  Lunar  halo  of  88  degrees  in  late  p.  m. — November 
9  :  Fine  snow  fell  in  considerable  (|naiitity  ;  high  gule  late  in  p.  m.— November  11 :  liriglit  parhelia  at  8.40  a.  m  ;  a  well 
defined  vertical  beam  also  showed  ;  the  red  color  was  very  bright,  changing  to  pale  blui.sh  at  noon. — November  18 : 
Light  miri.ge. — November  13:  Lunar  halos  of  88  ami  41)  degrees  with  parselenes  at  the  intersections  of  the  parseleuic 
circle  and  vertical  beam. — November  16 :  Considerable  amounts  of  frost  crystals. — November  17  :  Long  spicnlm  of  frost 
attached  to  the  grass. — Noveniber  18 :  Heavy  fog ;  everything  is  bent  to  the  ground  under  the  weight  of  frost  crystals ; 
I  liavo  never  before  witnessed  such  a  grand  erystaliizatiun  of  moisture.— November  10:  Much  mirage. — November  80: 
F.  w  tlakes  of  snow.- Novembftr88:  Strong  gale  from  the  southwest ;  all  the  ice  to  the  northeast  of  the  island  has  moved 
out  to  seaward. — November  80:  Moderate  gale  from  the  northenst. — Noveniber  89:  Aurora  begun  at  5.84  p.  m.,  ami 
continued  all  night,  lasting  until  5  a.  m.  of  November  30. — November  30:  Aurora  continued  until  5  a.  m;  a  single 
auroral  arch  began  at  9.30  p.  m.,  continuing  with  little  change  until  5.30  a.  m.  of  December  1. 

DECEMBER,  1875. 

December  1 :  Aurora  of  November  30  cou:iiiued  until  5.30  a.  m.  of  to-day  ;  aurora  of  feeble  intensity  from  0..50 
p.  m.  to  4.35  a.  m.  of  December  8;  slight  iimioatious  of  an  arch  at  midnight. — December  8:  Parhelia  having  slight 
tails  were  seen  to-dsy ;  aurora  of  December  8  continu'  1  until  4.35  a.  m.  to-day ;  an  aurora,  hardly  recognizable,  was 


'»! 


]!! 


22 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATUUAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


Tiiilile  at  D.IO  ]>.  III.— Dooninlwr  It :  Nlriiiif{  unU<  I'roiii  tli»  miiilliwi'iil ;  |inl<t  ttiir<ir»  itt  1*.:I0  p.  in.— I>«onmhrr  4  :  Faint 
auroral  nUivi ;  iiiiiuli  iiiir»K<t. — DcutMiilMir  !) :  Air  riill  of  fro/i'ii  |iiirtioli<ii,  roriiiiiiK  imrlialia  uiiil  •  iIuiiIiIIiik  of  llio  miii  nt 
lO.tH)  ».  III.  M  It  roiMt  lliroiiKli  Mm  Htrntnni  of  ilriniiiK  hiiow  ;  |>unM<lniiiiit  wi<r«  furiiioil  In  thn  nvniiinK ;  it  ooinplnta  pnr 
Mtlttiilo  olrole  wllli  a  clreiiiii/.t'iiillinl  cxtfriinl  arc  anil  tliii  <iiii<  lit'low  It  wrrn  wall  ilrllnml.  — I)i>vninlier  10:  DazxIinK 
parhelia  fnrniml  towaril  iiihui  ;  parNi'li'iii'H  anil  pull  of  a  puiHoli'iiir  I'lrvlii  wi<rii  ilovvlopnl  In  the  uvonlnti ;  innitli  miow  lly-_ 
in){  tlironKli  tlin  ulr.— l>i>r<-nilii<r  II:  I'arliiiliii  and  parHiili'iii'H  fiirini'il  to-ilay.  — Dix'KinlHir  1ft:  Miioli  mirage  to-ilay. — 
Dri'umlii'r  17:  I'alo  aurora  Iwk»i>  at  1)  p.  in.,  laNtlii)(  until  :i.l.%  n.  in.  of  DecmnlH'r  IH.— l)«c«uibflr  18  :  Tli«  aurora  of  yi>K- 
txrilay  <iv<inin)(<'onliniioil  until  It.  15  ii.  in.  of  (o-ilay  ;  an  ill-fornii«l  uioli  of  an  aurora  bi>gan  at  U  p.  ni.,  IttHtiuK  until  11.40 
p.  III. — Derunili^r  I'.h  I'alit  auroral  k'"*  at  !>  p.  in.-  Doci'inln'r  'iO:  IIikIi  Mtorin  n'nin  the  winth;  ninch  mow  ilrlfteil. — 
Devflnilier  'Jl :  A  iiioilvratp galx  from  tlm  HonlhwoNt ;  Hnow  ll.viiiK  fnrioiiHly. — Di'citinber  'i4  :  High  KUitty  Kal«  from  NiO.  to 
K.— Dt'cemlier  Sffi:  A  high  naif  from  K.  to  NK. ;  niiioli  iinow  fi-ll.  — Dfoemlier*! :  Vnry  lii)(h  tide.— Oi-ctmilinr  W7:  Strung 
Kale  from  the  aoiith.  ;  liiKh  tiil«  at  r>.ir>  p.  in ;  niiirli  ico  iiiovim  ofl'  to  wawanl. — Uiicouibiir  'iH:  Htioiig  gale  r.:Hn  the 
Hoiithwi'Nt;  ii']ow  ilrifli-il  fiirioiiNly.— Ih'i'unilm!  'Al :  .\iirora  at  10.15  p.  in.,  laMtml  until  T.'iO  u.  lu.  of  Duc.uniltor  :IU. — 
Deooinber  'M :  Aurora  of  yimU>rilay  laNttnl  until  'M  a.  in.  of  tii-ilay  ;  an  aurora  of  litllo  inlennity  from  H.'25  p.  ni,  IosIimI 
until  7.15  a.  in.  of  DotMUnbtir  III. — Di't'i-inlwr  111  :  Aurora  of  ycHtcrday  laMi'd  iiiilil  7.15  a.  m.  of  to-day  ;  aiiecund  aurora 
of  feobln  intiMiHity  bi>f{aii  at  10.115  p.  in.,  and  laitttHi  until  7.li5  a.  in.  of  January  1,  1876.  The  aurora*  of  December, 
1875,  have  bvun  rtniiarkably  luw  iu  lutenitity. 

.lANUAKY.  IH70. 

.Ittiiuary  1  :  Aurora  viHiblv  at  1.5U  u.  ni.,  laittinx  until  T.'fft  a.  m.,  the  continiiatloii  of  the  one  mmmi  yeiitprday  even- 
hift;  miicli  nilraK"  to-day.— January  Si:  ('oiiHidi'nildo  miraKo  to-day. — January  I! :  Very  jji'ity  gale  fnnn  the  i-aitt  by 
qOoii— January  4  :  HIiouk  ^UHty  ){al«  ;  iniich  hiiow  ilriftcd.— January  5:  h*lriiii){K'ii'.V  K"'*)  Ironi  the  Honthvaiit. — Janu- 
ary 0:  Very  gUMty  K»lu  from  tliK  HOUthraNt  ;  niio»  fril.— .lanniiry  7  :  Ili)(h  Kliirm  from  the  Hoiitli ;  iniiidi  hiiow  drifted  ; 
ice  began  to  move  out  tliiH  evening.— Jan iiiiry  h:  Much  hiiow  fell,  Home  drifted.— January  1*:  (iiiHty  gale  from  themiiith 
andHOuthweHt;  minw  drifted  furioiiHly.-.liiniijiry  10:  l.nniir  log  bow  with  faint Hii|M<riiumerary;  ]iarhelia  In  p.  ni.  with 
bright  vertieul  beam.— January  II :  .SlroiiKgale  rroni  the  north;  threatened  rain.— January  Vi:  Light  gale  from  IheeaHt ; 
Buow  during  night.— January  14  :  Snow  Hil'led  I'lom  the  Hky.— January  15 :  Irregular  gale  from  the  hoiiIIi  ;  iiineh  hiiow 
flying.— January  10:  High  Htorin  from  thoHonth;  mhow  drifted  furioiiHly.— January  17 :  Ounty  gale  from  the  Honth ; 
Boa-ice  all  gone  exeepting  that  in  the  bay.— January  18  :  High  galVi  from  the  Hoiith  ;  all  the  Mea-ice  gone,  an  uccnrreiiue 
rarely  known  at  thin  Beaoou. — January  19:  Hard  gale  from  the  HonthweHt ;  much  huow  in  large  llakiw  fell.— January 
i20:  Strong  gale  from  the  HoiithwvHt. — January  'ii:  (iiiNty  gale  from  the  Houth,  increased  to  a  high  atorm  ;  indiHtiiict 
auroral  arch  obtienred  by  cloudH  IIiIh  evening.— .lunnary '.^4 :  Hard  gale  from  the  north. — January  25:  OiiHty  galo 
from  the HOuth ;  auroral  arch  ut7u.  m.,  laxting  until  8.'2Ua.  m.— January  !<U:  Territic  gule  from  thebiuth;  very  gugty. — 
January  27 :  Hard  gale,  with  iiiueh  tlying  tinow.— January  '.'8  :  I'ale  auroral  arch  from  1.5U  a.  ni.  to  7.15  a.  m. — Janu- 
ary 2!):  Palo  aurora  at  7  u.  m. ;  auroral  haze  at  10.15  p.  in.,  <lii>nppearing  at  11.15  p.  m.— January  DO:  Light  gate  from 
K.  to  ME.— January  Dl :  CiiiHty  gale  tioin  eaht  ;  auroral  iireli  ut  *  a.  ni.  ;  lanting  until  8.10  u.  ui.;  very  bright  display. 

KKHKl'AKV,  1870. 

February  3  :  Faint  auroral  arch  from  T  a.  "in.  to  7.45  u.  in.— Kehrnary  8  :  UrlBk  gale  from  northeast  inmlo  the  snow 
(ly, — February  U:  Gunty  gale  frcuu  N.  to  NE. ;  mueh  snow  llying. — February  13:  Light  gale  ft'om  the  north;  aurora^ 
haze  from  7  to  7.115  a.  m.— February  15 :  Auroral  haze  fioin  8.110  p.  iii.  to  10.15  a.  in. — February  17  :  An  aurora  of  mod- 
erate inteUHity,  forming  an  arch  from  8.1(5  p.  in.  to  H.IO  a.  in.  of  February  18. — February  18:  The  aurora  of  yesterday 
evening  IttHtud  until  8.10  a.  ni.  to-day;  aurora  from  7.110  p.  in.  lasting  until  7.45  a.  m.  of  February  ID;  this  aurora  formed 
nu  arch,  having  slight  diHtnrbaiiees  on  the  I'aHteni  en<L— Fehrnaiy  I'J:  Aurora  of  yesterday  evening  lasted  until  7.46 
a.  ui.  of  to-i^iy ;  aurora  of  a  Hingle  arch  from  8.15  p.  in.  to  midnight. — February  21 :  Bright  parhelia  and  halo  at  noou. — 
February  22:  Fog  bow  during  the  middle  of  the  day. — February  211 ;  Dark-edged  halo  of  22  degrees  around  sun. — 
February  24:  Variable  gale  from  the  south ;  snow  fell  and  much  drifting  occurred. — February  25:  Sua|ipy  gale  of 
variable  rate  from  N.  to  NE. ;  a  furious  siiuw-htorm  prevailed.—  February  26 :  Part  of  a  halo  and  parhelia  toward  noon, 

MAKC'II,  1876. 

March  3 :  Gusty  gale  from  the  northeast ;  snow  tlying  furiously. — March  II :  Small  lunar  halo  of  22  degrees  in  the 
evening. — March  4  :  Strong  gnsty  gale  from  the  northeast ;  considerable  snow  falling  and  drifting. — March  5:  Considera- 
ble thaw. — March  6:  Strong  galo  from  E.  to  NE. ;  snow  drifted;  bright  lunar  halo  of  22  degrees  at  midnight. — March 
7  :  Hurricane  gusts  from  SE.  to  S. ;  snow  tlying  furiously. — March  8  :  Irregular  gale  rate  from  S.  to  E. ;  snow  and  rain 
fell  in  light  character.— March  11:  Suow  flying  furiously;  gorgeous  sunrise. — March  12:  Snow  fell  and  drifted. — 
March  14:  GuHty  gale  from  the  southweHt.- March  17:  Gusty  gale  from  the  north. — March  18:  Light  gale  from  the 
north. — March  11):  Light  gale  from  N.  to  NE. — March  21 :  Much  drifting  suow. — March  25:  Aurora  of  two  archoB, 
upper  fuiut,  appeared  at  9.20  p.  ni.,  lasting  until  1.30  a.  ni.  of  March  26. — March  26:  Aurora  of  yesterday  continued 
UDtil  1.30  a.  in.  of  to-day ;  a  pale  arch  of  an  aurora  visible  from  10  p.  in.  to  4.30  a.  m,  of  March  27. — March  27 :  The 
aurora  of  yesterday  lasted  until  4.30  a.  m.  of  to-day ;  aurora  this  evening  lasting  from  U.40  p.  m.  to  11.15  p.  m, — March 
28 :  Auroral  arch  at  10  p.  in.,  became  very  bright  at  11  p.  ui.,  continuiug  until  4.35  a.  ni.  of  March  29. — March  29 : 
Aurora  of  last  night  continued  until  4.35  a.  lu.  to-day. — March  31 :  Considerable  flne  snow  sifted  to-day. 


i! 

'   I 

it 


:,;   ! 


CONTRIBUTIONS  T()  Til R  NATUHAl.  IIIHTOUYOK  ALABKA. 


n 


AI'KII.,  1870. 


mill  I'tirtrnphfHiu  Hiviiliii ;  iiiiirh  iiirlllliK  ■>!  Ill)' miow  liriiiK"  tlii'm  >ii'  4  tii  llii' i'iiiihI.  April 'JII:  ii-ik,!  uin  wi  nm'n  , 
triiili-rn  rrporl  llii'  niiow  ot',tlii<  iiitiTior  tii  lii>  rupiilly  iiii-ltiiiK'-  April  W-t :  Miitli  liiii'  kihiw  fell.--  Apiil  '.'.'■ :  l.urKi'  tlitl(i<* 
of  Niiow  (I'll  uliiiiiililiitly.— April  W(l:  Kxtmiirly  lii'iivy  lull  of  Iuiki'  miiow  lliikri;  I  iilirn'rvi'il  »  cliicRHili^i'  on  <ini>  of 
lh«  liiiiiwn,— April  '/7  :  Arrival  of  it  trailer,  froiii  Iho  KiiHkokviiii  KlviM',  who  rcporlN  tin-  iippi'iiriiiii'u  oIkii'm'  uiiiI  iIiu'WhIii 
tbut  viviiiUy.— April  :K)  :  Miirli  miow  liitviiiK  fulliMi  in  tlii<  poNt  wwk  liitn  prevuiitoil  iniKratiiry  liiriU  from  up|H'iiriiiK. 

MAY,  lM7tl. 

M»y  I:  A  Unlit  ({i»le  from  thi>  north.— Miiy  'i:  Miiih  hiiow  fi-ll  iiiul  ilrifti'il.— May  :i :  fifroiin  n^h'  fVom  the 
north. — Mjiy  4:  Arrival  of  a  trailer,  who  ri'piirtH  warm,  HpriiiKlikx  wi-athiT  at  Ihr  Yukon  ili-lta,  with  an  uliumlani'it  of 
Ki!i'«o  anil  iliirkH.— May  I):  Arrival  of  Ihu  llrHt  >{•«'«'. -May  M  ;  Low cxI  liaromrtiM- riMiil '.iH. 7-1(1  to  ilay.— May  tiS:  Snow 
ha   nearly  all  goiiu  ;  ice  iit  the  bay  anil  to  Huawanl  Ih  iirarly  all  nmw. 

JUNK,  IH7(). 

Juno  U:  ()n»ty  gale  from  8.  to  8\V, — Jnni^  II:  Mnrh  ire  ri'lnnii'd  In  tin-  hay.— Jnne  I'J:  Di'iihi' fog ;  whaleM, 
Orra  iiaciflca^l),  wito  Ni'nn  in  tlii'  largi'  liolo  in  thi'  ii'c  in  tlii'  hay.— Jiini'  I'.i ;  I,i){ht  galr  IVniii  th"  Noulhwi'Ht ;  iIimihc  fog 
prevaili'il.— ,Inin'  M  ;  Doimn  fog ;  ire  in  Ihi'  hay  nearly  gono.— .Innc  It! ;  itunsi'  log;  wviTal  whito  whah'H,  Ihlithinapierut 
caloihn,  .vi'rn  m'I'Ii  to-ilay ;  herring  laino  at  I!  a.  ni.  today  in  gnat  nnnilH'rn. — .Inne  17:  Icr  Ntill  ii'inainH  in  the 
vicinity.— Jnno  IH:  Deime  fog. — .Inim  11);  Light  rain;  ili'imi'  tog  in  p.  m;  niiiih  ii'c,  in  tlii<  form  of  a  lielt,  at  Hea.— 
Jono  20:  liaiii  of  light  I'haractur;  wo  plaiitnl  ganli-ii  hi'i'iIh  May  'Jh  ;  the  yom.g  vigctalil. "i  look  very  promiHing.— 
June  lit :  DenHi«t  fog.— Jnne  '£\:  TrailerH  from  the  head  of  the  Yukon  ilintriit  arrived  to-day. ~,lniie  21  :  Denne  fog.— 
June  25:  Arrival  of  a  veHwd  from  San  Kraneiiteo  ;  the  ri'inainder  of  the  iioats  helmiging  to  the  dilVerent  trading 
HtatiouH  of  thia  iliHtriot  arrived  to-day, — June  2H:  llurd,  daNhing  rain,  aeoompunied  liy  thunder  and  lightning ; 
temperature  riwe  to  75" ;  arrival  of  oteiunor  8t.  Paul. — June  ;iU:  Hard  rain,  with  thunder  and  lightning. 

JULY,  1S70. 

July  1 :  Light  rain  ;  niixt  in  middle  of  day. — July  2 :  (innly  gah'  from  N.  to  NK. ;  heavy  rain  fell. —.inly  4 :  Light 
gale  from  HK.  to  S, ;  light  shower  of  rain. — July  1(1:  Very  high  tide  at  H.lo  a.  111.— July  II:  Kenie  fog.— July  1-1: 
Very  gUHty  gale.— July  LI:  Light  to  moderate  rain. — July  Id:  tlimty  gale  from  the  Honthnaxt. — .Inly  17:  Light  galu 
from  the  NontheuHt. — July  IH:  Strong  gale  from  the  Houth. — July  III:  Hard,  gusty  gale  from  the  Hoiith ;  light 
Hhowera. — July  20:  OuHty  storm  of  wind  and  rain  from  S,  to  K.— July  21:  Oniity  gale  from  8K.  to  S. ;  intervaU  of 
light  rain. — .luly  22:  Light  rains  ;  the  hoats  loaded  for  the  distant  stations  of  this  district  have  lieeii  di'tained  eleven 
days  hy  the  strong  winds. — July  2G:  Light  rain. — July  :I0:  Hjither  hard  rains.— .luly  :tl  :  Moderate  rein  at  intervals. 

AU0U8T,  1876. 

Augusts:  Rain  of  hard  eharacter. — August  H:  Kain  of  light  eharaeter. — August  4;  Showery  in  p.  m.— August  ."i: 
Hard  dash  of  rain  fell  as  snow  on  the  hills. — August  (i:  I'rost  dnring  the  night.— \ugiisl  Id;  Light  rain. — ^Aiigimt  11: 
Moilerato  rain. — August  12;  l^ard  dash  of  rain.— August  i:t :  Halo  around  Niin.— August  14:  Light  rain;  gusty  gale 
from  N.  to  NW. — August  17:  Light  rain. — August  IH:  Moderate  rain.— Acgnst  19:  Light  rain;  very  high  tide  at 
7.10  a.  ni.— August  20:  Light  to  hard  rain;  very  gusty  frmu  the  smithwest.— August  21  :  Misty  rain;  great  nuinliers 
of  migratory  birds  have  departed  within  the  jiast  week;  the  list  inelndes  terns,  spurrows,  and  swallows. — August 
2U;  Heavy  dew. — August  2.^:  During  the  past  ten  days  we  have  enjoyeil  an  aiiniidaiee  of  blue  berries.  salmon-l>erries, 
and  cow-berries,  forming  an  agreeable  addition  to  our  plain  fare. ^August  27  ;  .Several  bi:ats  arrived  from  the  Yukon 
delta;  the  men  report  lunch  rain  during  this  mouth.— August  20;  Di'iise  fog  in  a.  m. ;  bright  display  of  aurora  this 
evening,  forming  u  complete  veil  over  the  northern  heavens,  notable  for  the  rapid  changes  from  one  form  to  another; 
the  aurora  was  so  low  that  a  dense  cuiunio  stratus  cloud  was  visible  beyond  the  aurora  at  times. 


SEI'TEMBER,  1876. 

September  1 :  Light  rain  in  p.  m.— September  2:  Moderate  rain  in  p.  m.— .September  3  ;  Heavy  showers  in  night.— 
September  4:  Gusty  gale  from  E.  to  S. ;  hard  dashes  of  rain.— September  .'> ;  Gentle  showers  to  moderate  rain.— Sep- 
tember 6 :  Moderate  ruin.— September  7  :  Light  showers.— September  11  :  Light  rain.— September  12  :  Fine  display  of 
upper  clouds.- September  13:  Surging  gale  friuu  SE.  to  8.  ;  very  high  tide.— September  14;  Light  gale  from  the 
suutheaat.- September  Ui  Heavy  rain.— September  16 :  Light  ruin.- September  17 :  Very  disagreeable  and  damp.— 
September  18:  Light  rain,  -September  111:  Drizzly  roius;  snow  fell  on  the  hills.— September  20;  Light  ruins.— 
September  21:  Light  rain;     iavy  snow  fell  on  the  bills,- September  22 :  Moderate  rain.— September  23:  Few  pellets 


If  I 


|i 


I  'I    I 


•H 


h  'f^   \ 


11 


11 


I: 


24 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


of  8lcet  foil;  Hharp  freeze;  iue  nearly  half  an  inch  thick  on  the  freoh-water  pools. — September iiTi:  A  faint  auroral 
glow  from  8  p.  m.  to  10  p.  ni.— September  26:  Light  spit  of  hdow  ;  brilliant  aurora. — September  27:  Light  rainit; 
aurora  of  yesterday  continued  until  4  a.  m.  of  to-day. — September  28 :  Solar  halo  of  23  degrees;  flrost  and  ice. — Sep- 
tember 30 :  Heavy  snow  fell  to  the  eastward. 

OCTOBER.  1876. 

October  1:  Solar  and  lunar  halo.— October  2 :  Light  galo  from  NE.  to  E.;  moderate  rain  in  p.  m.— October  3: 
Heavy  rain;  high  tide. — October  4 :  Light  to  moderate  raiM. — October  T):  Fog  in  p.  m. ;  largo  flock  (about  soventy- 
tivo  individuals)  of  Sabine  gulls  (-Vfiiin  sahinii)  How  past  this  place  aud  to  the  northw^ard  :  this  is  a  rare  bird  in 
this  vicinity,  and  rarely  more  than  one  individual  is  scon  at  a  time. — October  6:  Densest  fo^  ;  light  spit  of  snow.— 
October?:  Kaiji  of  light  character  begun  late  in  night.- October  8:  Moderate  to  hard  rain;  very  low  tide  ;  water 
l.li  fcot  below  moan  tide. — October  10:  Unusually  brilliant  aurora,  greatly  obscured  by  clouds;  rain  late  in  p.  m. — 
October  11  :  Moderate  rain. — October  15:  Ousty  galo  from  the  north;  faint  aurora  iu  evening. — October  16  ■  (iusty 
gale  from  tho  north. — October  16  :  Two  to  three  inchcsof  ice  on  the  lakes ;  ico  has  aU"  formed  whore  the  sea-spray  has 
ilaslifd  on  the  rocks  of  the  beach. — October  18  :  Great  numbers  of  largo  gulls  ( l.anii  barroviaiiniiii  aud  hiuviilerua)  have 
been  scon  to-day. — October  20:  Brilliant  aurorii  revealed  through  a  rift  in  the  clouds —October  'i4  :  Several  gulls  of 
tho  species  niontioned  October  18  have  been  sefii  to-day. — October  26:  Light  spit  of  snow. — October  28:  The  gulls 
|)rovioiiFly  uiontioncd  have  been  luiiuerous  to  day. — October  2'.l :  Ico  beginning  to  form  in  the  bay. — October  31 :  Ice 
formed  on  the  bay  so  thick  that  a  couple  of  people  crossed  on  it. 

NOVEMBER,  1876. 

November  1;  Strong  gusty  galo  from  S.  to  SE. ;  ice  in  tho  bay  taken  out  by  the  wiiul ;  rain  and  sleet  of  light 
character. — November  4 :  Light  galo  from  N\V.  to  N. ;  snow  fell  heavily  iu  the  distance;  ice  in  the  bay  forming 
rapidly. — November  5:  Low  gale  from  tho  uorth. — November  7:  Strong  gale  from  the  south  ;  a  larger  part  of  the  ice 
was  carried  out ;  snow  fell  and  drifted. — November  8 :  Snow  late  iu  p.  ui.— November  9 :  Misty,  freezing  to  the  grasses 
and  weeds;  ico  again  went  out  of  tho  bay. — Novonibor  10:  Misty,  with  intervals  of  snow-siiualls. — November  12: 
Aurora  began  to  show  at  .'•.24  p.  ui.  a.s  a  light  haziness,  which  gradually  became  denser,  forming  an  arch  at  7.10  p.  m., 
on  which  beams  danced  with  incredible  velocity  from  E.  to  \V.  and  vice  rcysa,  with  an  irregular  dapping  up  and  down  ; 
tho  colors  were  pale  greenish-yellow  above  and  deep  purple  below;  the  center  of  the  arch  for  its  entire  length  was 
yellowish,  v.itli  a  nuirgin  of  about  16  degrees  In  width  of  green  to  deepest  yellow,  while  below,  for  about  2r>  degrees, 
tbo  edging  was  bine,  green,  purple,  red,  aud  yellow  at  dilferent  times;  when  an  intense  wave  would  start,  from  near 
the  eastern  md  and  rush  rapidly  along  the  arch  all  the  colors  listed  above  would  shine  vividly  ami  in  such  (|nick 
succession  that  it  was  at  times  impossible  to  keep  account  of  their  changes  ;  tho  ilark  scguu'ut  was  ill-delined  ;  the 
dLtplay  lasted  until  HT.'iO  p.  ni.— Novi'uiber  l."!:  Pale  aurora  from  6.10  p.  ui.  to  9.2.')  p.  m. — November  16:  Palo  aurora 
from  G.20  p.  ni.  to  10  p.  m. — November  17  :  Palo  aurora  formed  an  arch,  lasting  friun  .').50  to  11.10  p.  m. ;  at  4.24  p.  m. 
1  was  startled  by  two  Hashes  of  light,  which,  to  a  great  degree,  dimmed  the  llaiuo  of  an  argand  burner  on  tho  lamp ; 
1  immediately  ran  to  the  wiiulow  to  look  for  lire,  but  seeing  none,  I  rushed  out  of  the  house,  and  looking  in  the  W. 
N\V.,  i.  f.,  23'  N.  of  W.,  saw  an  irregular  streak  of  tiro  perpendicular  to  the  earth ;  below  t  Ids  was  a  second  a-id  a 
third  below  that ;  the  tii-st  streak  at  an  altitiule  of  28'',  and  was  ab(nit  2^.5  long  and  12'  wide,  then  at  a  space  of  3^ 
began  the  socoiul  or  middle  streak,  having  the  sanui  length  aud  width  as  the  upper  ;  the  third  ;>r  lower  was  like  the 
middle  streak,  excepting  It  was  shorter  aud  much  brighter;  all  had  tho  peculiar  bright  while  ''ght  of  the  sun,  not 
yellowish,  like  the  moon ;  I  iinmedi'ifoly  ran  to  tell  Mr.  Noniuai.:i,  who  lives  in  the  next  hoirsu ;  ho  was  hunting  his 
hat  to  come  and  tell  me  that  he  had  seen  it  fall ;  he  li-.'scribed  it  as  descending  slowly  in  a  /.ig/.ag  manner,  as  indi- 
ated  by  its  path,  and  that  if  seiincd  to  swell  and  slivink  in  size  in  tailing;  he  described  tho  size  of  tho  moleor  to 
be  about  tho  size  of  tho  moon,  aud  that  the  outMnes  were  very  irregular;  we  watched  the  light  from  4.24  p.  i.i. 
to  ri  p.  m.,^t  which  time  the  upper  streak  hud  faded  out  of  sight;  the  miildle  streak  had  moved  westward  (nearly 
northward)  10  degrees  and  was  now  inclined  to  tho  horizon;  the  third  or  lower  streak  was  also  inclined  to  the  horizon, 
aud  moving  to  the  westward  ;  the  middle  one  had  now  taken  tho  exact  shape  of  tho  hull  of  a  large  vessel,  aud  was 
plainly  dlstingnishab'e  us  well-detinod  cirri  streaks  in  daytime ;  tho  lower  streak  faded  out  at  5.3,')  p.  in. ;  the  middle 
or  hull-shaped  one  lasted  until  5.46  p.  m.,  or  a  total  time  of  one  hour  aud  twenty-two  minutes;  this  meteor  was 
witnessed  by  three  white  men,  including  myself;  many  natives  also  saw  the  meteor,  and  were  greatly  frightened.— 
November  18  :  Auroral  haze  in  early  evening,  obscured  by  clouds. — November  20 :  Light  spit  of  snow. — Noveinber  25 : 
Pale  halos  and  purselenes.— November  26:  Air  full  of  frozen  vapor,  making  a  pale  halo  and  parhelia;  u  \iale  aurora 
from  7  to  7.25  a.  m. ;  pale  auroral  arch  at  6.25  p.  ui.- November  27 :  Aurora  of  yesterday  evening  continued  until  7.30 
a.  III.  to-day. — November  30:  Lunar  halo  all  night. 

DECEMBER,  1876. 

December  1:  Much  .snow  flying. — Dcceinber2:  Cold,  gusty  gale  from  the  north;  snow  flying;  imperfect  solar 
halo  ami  parhelia. — December  7:  Strong  gale  from  the  south;  much  drifting  snow. — December  9:  Snow  fell  and 
instantly  drifted. — December  11:  Strong  gale  from  the  northeast ;  snow  driftid  furiously;  palo  aurora  from  5.10  to 
8.10  p.  UI. — December  15:  Air  lull  of  frost  spicnlie  ;  snow  fell. — December  18:  Faint  auroral  glow  hidden  by  clouds. 
— December  20:  Stroii;;  (fusty  gale  from  the  south. — December  21 :  Strong  galo  from  N.  to  NE.;  Snow  and  rain  fell, 
light  in  character.— December  26:  llrilliant  lunar  uoronte.— December  27:  Much  mirage, — Doceml  .  30:  Air  full  of 
frost  films. — December  31 :  Parhelia  at  noon. 


0ONTRIBUTIO>Tb  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


25 


JANUAUY.  1877. 

.Tiwniitry  1 ;  Terrible  Btorm  to  a  hurricane  rata  of  winrt  from  tlio  north  ;  snow  drifttMl  furioiKily ;  hrlRht  parholia 
mill  pm-Hi'li-iicH. — .lanunry  '2:  'IVrrilils  Htorm  riito  of  wind  from  tli(>  north  ;  piirliolia  and  paraploiii-H. — .Iiuinary  H:  Vt-ry 
hiftli  null-  froir  tlio  north;  Ihn  iirriviil  of  iradrrn  from  tlio  Kimkokviin  Kivcr  waH  a  pIcaHnnt  snrpriHo  today;  tho 
traders  report  niiicli  ruin  and  wiow;  hard  rains  near  the  winter  solstiee  took  otV  all  the  snow  and  made  the  river  rise 
BO  hiffli  that  many  natives  tU'd  to  the  hinher  lands;  the  niontli  of  November,  IMTti,  was  very  cohl  and       used  mneh 

distress nnj;  the  natives  ;  alonj;  the  Ynkon  delta  was  niueh  snow  and  generally  mild  weather;  fnr-bearinK  animals 

are  reported  to  hi-  alinndani  ;  these  traders  ex])! ess  the  severity  of  the  wind  anil  void  on  the  lirst  of  this  month  as  lieioK 
extreme.— .Inn\iiiry  5:  Pale  anroral  ineli  of  little  change  from  H.:tO  p.  ni.,  lastinj;  until  7.'jr)  a.  m.  of  Jannary  (i.— .Ian- 
nary  (i:  Uinh,  Knsty  (jale  from  N.  to  Ni;.;  much  horizontal  mirage  diirinj;  the  niornin;; ;  anroral  haze  from  .^.10  j).  m. 
to  II  i>.  m.— Jannary  H:  Moderate  sno-v  leii.-'r.nmiry  1>:  Heavy  snow  fell.— Jannary  U:  IVrrible  snow-storm  from 
the  hi^'h  winds  driving  the  recently-fallen  snow.— Jannary  I'J:  Litiht  gale  from  the  south  ;  little  snow  fell. — )anniiry 
ir>:  Mneh  line  snow  sifted  dnrinj;  the  day. — lannary  lli:  Variable  }{a hi  from  the  .south,  with  driflin);  snow.— Jannary 
17:  .Strong  gale  from  the  south;  temjierature  rose  to4l'=;  snow  much  nu'lted.— January  IH:  Vitdent  Kustsof  ••  linr- 
rieane  rate  from  thi^  south  ;  iee  carried  liijjh  (Ui  tlie  lieaeh  liy  the  tide  and  wind.-  January 'iO:  Kxtremely  lieautiful 
forms  of  upper  clouds  toilay  were  the  admiration  of  all  who  witncs.-<ed  them. — .lauuary  21 :  Tale  lunar  corona.— Jan- 
nary a-i  :  Fine  snow  of  delicate  prisms  silled  from  the  sky  ;  iiale  Innar  corona  in  the  cvoniii)i;.— ,lanuary  '->;!:  Kaint  halo 
of  22  decrees  around  the  moon.— .laiuuiry  21:  Kaint  hifar  haloof  22  decrees.— .lannary  2.">:  Oreat  amount  of  fro.st  spic- 
nhe  dejiosited  on  every t h ill';  ;  these  spic alie  liiMpieutlv  attain  a  len};t'i  of  2  iueln'sand  form  a  beautiful  scene  when  tho 
Hun  shines  on  them.— Janmiry  27:  Solar  and  lunar  halo  of  22  deforces.— .lannary  2H  :  rarhelia  at  11  a.  m.— .lannary  'M) 
Many  frost  tilnis  in  the  air. 

KKHRUARY,  1977. 

I'ebruary  1:  Iii(;ht  foj;  in  middle  of  ilay;  pale,  white  luiloaronnd  the  sun. — Kehruary  2;  Temperature,  11  \  fi ; 
jiale  aurora  of  two  iirehesfrom  .^.2■l  p.  m.,  (d)senrcd  by  domls  at  lO.IIOp.  m. — rebrnary  H:  Tale  halo  at  mion  ;  sliifht 
mirage;  pale  annua,  with  well-dctined  dark  scfimcnt  from  M.;lll  p.  m.  to  10  p.m.,  and  then  iibscnred  by  cIouiIh.- reb- 
rnary 4  :  l.ifcht  to  a  jjusty  jjale  from  N.  to  NK. ;  snow  drifted  furiously;  a  bright  vertical  beam  10  dcjjrccs  in  length 
passed  over  the  moon's  disk  in  the  eveniii);. — February  .'i :  .Solar  halo  and  parhelia. — February  7:  Parhelia  at  U  a.m. — 
February  8:  Parhelion  at  11  i>.  m. ;  pale  anroral  arcli  from  !»  p.  m.  to  11  p.  m.— February  '.):  Many  frost  films  in  the 
air  ;  parhelia  and  solar  halos. — February  10  :  Pale  aurcual  haze  from  .^..''lO  p.  ni.  to  11.10  p.  m. — Fcbrnar)  11 :  Haloof22 
dejjree.s  around  the  sun  ;  beautiful  red  and  }{ohl  sunrise  ;  much  mir;i;;e. — February  12  :  .Mirajje  to  a  slight  i(ej;rce  ;  faint 
parhelion  at  2  p.  m. ;  a  pale  annual  haze  at  7  p.  in.,  iiicreascil  to  form  :iii  arcli  at  9.10  p.  ni.,  with  si'veral  sheets  of  low 
intensity  below  it  at  the  castirn  end  ;  at  I'.ilO  p.  m.  r,i>;ns  of  brcakiii};  into  two  arches  with  several  jiatches  of  less 
intensity  tryinj.'  to  form  a  tliinl  iircli,  at  which  rime  cmly  the  geiilral  arch  was  perfect;  at  10  p.  m.  three  imperfect 
arches ;  at  It  p.  iii.  three  full  ar.licsof  lij;lit  inti'iisity  ;  at  1  a.  iii.  of  February  IH  a  broad  arch  ilitl'nsed  itself  20  decrees 
wide  and  •jradiially  bi'caiiie  uai  rower  'o  lade  out  ut  sifjlit  at  o  a',  m. — Feliniary  111 :  Anroral  haze  bewail  at  li  p.  ni.,  last- 
inj; until  '.)  p.  UI.,  when  it  ladeil  out  of  siylit  to  ri  cur  as  jiart  of  an  illip.M'  and  very  liri}{lit  with  considerable  waverius, 
lastiiii;  unlil  1  a.  m.  of  February  II. — February  M:  Much  hori/iuital  and  veil  ical  niinij;e ;  thri'e  parhelia  and  a  halo 
from  1  to  1  p.  m. ;  verliiiil  beam  was  H  de};i'ees  hi;;h  at  sunset  ;  contact  ai'cli  ii'.nch  V''*haped  ;  pale  auroral  liazi'  from 
r).riO  to  8.10  |i.  111.— Febniarv  IT) :  Much  snow  ll,\  iiiK  ;  mock  suns,  parhelia,  vertical  beam,  and  a  halo  liii.  Iiif;  the  day. — 
February  IT  :  Much  tlyiuK  snow  ;  a  vertical  beam  at  sunrise,  a  pale  halo  and  two  parhelia  ditriiifj  the  day. — February 
18:  Parliciia  and  tlyiiifj  snow  tiliiis;  pale  iiin.ual  arch  from  8.20  ]).  ni.  to  ll.l.'i  p.  ni ;  minimum  temperature  .'lO'  to- 
day ;  I  leani  from  natives  living  on  the  north  side  of  Norton  Sound  thai  the  bri);lit  meteor  of  Noveuiber  17,  1870,  was 
seen  all  aloii;;  that  coast. — February  10:  Temperature  low  as— ■'SO  ,  giviii;;  a  mean  teniperatnre  for 'the  day  of  -  !.">"  ; 
much  miiMj'c;  pa!,' anroral  arch  at  0  p.  in. — February  21 :  Auroral  arch  of  cop|iery  color ;  much  verlical'aiid  hori- 
zontal iniiiifie  today. — Febrnai.N  22  :  A  bcantiful  red  sunrise.— February  21! :  Much  iiiirafie  :i1l  day. — Febieary  2(1 : 
niiieli  ni'rafse  ill  a.  m.— February  27  :  Miles  of  iiiiri'j;e  ;  part  of  an  eeliiise  of  the  moon  was  observed. — February  28  : 
Much  mirage;  lunar  halo  and  iiarselencs  at  il  p.  m.  ;  this  has  been  the  coldest  of  all  months  since  1  have  been  here. 


MAKCII,  1877. 

March  1 :  Pale  aurora  iieaily  obscured  by  clouds;  two  species  of  Hies  were  seen  in  the  house  to-day. — March  4: 
Much  mirajie.— March  .'>:  Sudden  envelopment  of  foj;  from  2.20  (i.  m.  to  ."i  p.  m.— March  ti :  Much  miraKC,  (jreat 
aninnnt  of  frost  sjiicuhc  on  evcr,\  thiiij;;;  aiiror.il  haze  from  0.1(1  to  I0.;i,'>  p.  iii. — March":  Much  mirage. — March  8; 
Jlrilliant  red  nietenr  at  (i.lO  p.  ni.  in  S.  ."O"  \V.  at  an  altiliideof  20  degrees. — March  0:  Much  horizontal  and  little 
vertical  mirage  ilr.iing  the  day;  an  auroral  light  showed  thidiigli  the  clouds  at  ().2."i  |i.  iii.  ami  rapiilly  advanced 
to  .''lO  degrees  south  of  zenith  as  a  Inizy  band,  with  its  center  over  the  magnetie  meridian  ;  then  a  clear  space  of  20 
degrees  wide;  at  .">  degrees  south  of  zenith  a  broad,  swaying  baud  of  2.")  degrees  wile,  composed  of  vertical  beams, 
rushed  over  the  ,sky  from  east  to  west  and  rice  rernd  with  such  rapidity  that  it  was  at  times  hardly  "redible;  at  7.20  p. 
ni.  an  attemp'  was  made  to  form  an  auroral  corona  of  broken,  scattered  beams,  which  whirled  in  the  /.enith  like  a 
wliirl)iool  of  water;  some  of  the  beams  revolving  twice  round  the  center,  lasli:ig  only  a  minute,  to  burst  out  with  a 
Uiish  to  scainiier  oil  to  the  westwaid,  where  the  end  of  the  aieli  was  extremely  bright;  violet,  green,  bl,'e,  red,  and 
dlflfercnt  shades  of  yellow  were  seen  in  this  display  ;  at  8  p.  in.  a  broad,  surging  band  of  LI  degrees  was  holding  a-^ross  the 
zenith  from  east  to  west,  with  bcnius  dancing  along  its  length ;  at  9  p.  m.  tlio  au.'ora  was  nearly  spent  and  at  midnight 
8.  Mis.  155 3 


ill 


l!    t 


u . 


ii 
if 


!  I 


;;i 


20 


CONTEIBDTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


was  presenting  only  n  l»int  color,  lieconiiug  obsonred  by  tho  clouds. — March  10:  A  low  auroral  arch  from  9  \t.  ni.  to 
ll.iJOp.  m. — March  11 :  Auroral  arch  from  9.25  p.  ni. ;  to  11.50  p.  m. ;  much  inirago.— March  12:  Very  Hlroug  mirage. — 
March  IH:  Aurora  seen  through  the  clouds;  mi-ngo  at  7  a.  in. — March  15:  Much  mirage. — March  V,»:  l{ed-poll  linnets 
(Acanlhiu)  came  to  the  redoubt  to-day ;  these  birds  are  residents  of  this  vicinity  tind  arc  only  migratory  according  to 
the  exigency  of  the  weather. — March  20:  Much  mirage. — March  2H:  Mirage;  aurora  of  live  arclics;  moonlight  too 
bright  to  allow  much  intennity  of  color  in  the  aurora. — March  24 :  Lunar  corona.— March  30 :  Slight  sjilts  of  snow. — 
March  31:  Light  gale  and  gusty  from  NK.to  SE. 

APRIL,  1877. 

April  1 :  Snow  much  melted,  ground  quite  barj. — April  2:  Snow  fell  abundantly  on  the  hill-tnps,  with  rain  in  the 
valleys. — Ajiril  3  :  Light  rains. — April  4  :  Light  snow  ;  strong  giile  from  K.  to  SE. — April  5  :  Light  gale  from  S.  to  SE.  ; 
ptarmigans  and  red-poll  linnets  are  ([uite  i)lcntiful ;  much  of  the  snow  has  melted  ;  little  snow  in  large  Hakes  fell. — 
April  () :  Blue-bottle  Hies  were  humming  round  the  houses  today.  -April  7 :  Auroral  arch  from  H.40  to  11  p.  ni.— April 
8  :  Auroral  arch  from  8.20  to  9.40  p.  ni.,  and  obscured.  —April !) :  Snow  fell  late  in  i».  m. — April  10 :  SI  rong  gusty  gale 
from  north.— April  11  :  Strong  gale  from  N.  to  NE  ;  sleet  fell  in  small  aniountN. — April  12  :  Light  Hnow-fall.— April  13  : 
Sleet  and  rain  of  light  character. — April  14  :  Several  spits  of  snow  fell,  harder  cm  the  hills. — -ipril  17  :  I'arhelia  and  a 
halo  with  faint  contact  arcs. — April  18:  Faint  aurora  at  11  i>.  m. — April  19:  Solar  halo  of  22  degrees  at  2  )>.  m;  gulls 
are  reported  to  be  plentiful  outside  of  Stewart's  Island. — April  2U  :  Arrivalof  a  trader  from  Nulato,oii  the  Yukon  Kivor; 
states  that  the  ]iortage  between  that  place  and  here  is  nearly  bare  of  snow  ;  the  creeks  and  other  streams  arc  full  t>f 
water;  that  ducks  and  gulls  were  seen  in  that  vicinity. — April  21:  Light  gale  from  NE.  to  SE. ;  heavy  rain  in  tho 
distance. — April  22:  Gusty  gale  from  SE.  to  S. ;  heavy  showers  of  rain. — April  2!!:  (iale  rate  of  wind  from  the  south  ; 
rain  fell  heavily  in  the  (iistance. — April  24 :  The  snow  has  disappeared  as  if  nuigic;  much  vertical  mirage;  a  nn)8- 
quito  was  seen  to-day  ;  gulls  (/.«»•««  iiniroriiijijiug)  were  seen  Hying  high  in  tlieair  to-.lay ;  halo  round  the  moon. — April  25: 
Arrival  of  a  trader  from  the  Lower  Yukon  ;  ri;ports  war''  weather  with  much  rain;  geese  and  other  water  birds  are 
plentiful  in  that  vicinity, — April  27  :  Several  pairs  of  g,  '"se  have  been  seen  today ;  I  think  tho  absence  of  snow  does 
not  favor  the  arrival  of  the  geese. — April  28:  I'irst  api)enrance  of  the  Lapland  long-spur  (Cahariiis  lapponicue) 
to-day. — April  29:  Parhelia  with  cou.siderablo  "tails"  were  seen  to-day;  mirage  of  varying  amounts;  a  pair  of 
ducks  was  seen ;  the  first  goose  was  brought  in  to-day. — April  30 :  Many  species  of  ducks,  geese,  snipe,  and  other 
water  birds  have  arrived  within  tflo  last  week;  several  species  of  insects  have  also  been  observed  ;  it  is  considered 
to  be  a  very  open  spring. 

MAY,  1877. 

May  2:  llalos,  jiarhelia,  and  contact  arcs  with  a  parhelic  circle  ;  the  halosof  22  and  4ti  degrees  were  well  developed  ; 
parhelia  at  15,22, 30, 46,  and  90  degrees;  the  anthelion  was  extremely-  bright;  the  parhelia  at  22  degrees  were  so  bright 
as  to  rival  the  sun  in  splendor. — May  '.' :  Strong  gale  from  N.  to  NE. — May  5 :  Light  raiu.-— May  6 :  Light  gale  from  SE. 
to  S  ;  several  spits  of  snow. — May  7 :  'ligh  storm  from  the  south;  snow-Hqnalls  freciuent. — May  8:  High  gale  from 
E.  to  SE.,  with  light  rain.— May  10.  Light  rain;  ice  formed  in  the  night. — May  11:  Light  sue  ;  ice  formed  last 
night. — May  ?C:  Ice  breaking  olf  and  j'oiiig  out  to  seaw  'd  ;  little  i<e  niaile  in  the  fresh-wa.  .■  poipls. — May  13; 
Heavy  snow  on  vhe  high  hills;  sea  is  reporti'd  to  bo  free  from  ice  about  10  miles  distant. — May  14:  Much  vertical 
mirage. — May  15:  Kain  .'ind  snow  fell ;  ice  made  in  the  night. — May  17  :  Sleet  in  slight  anioiiuts  fell. — May  18:  Sleet- 
squalls;  ice  rapidly  going  out. — May  19:  tinsty  gale  from  the  sontlieaNt;  ice  all  gone. — May  2t':  lee-jani  in  the 
bay. — May  21:  Sleet-scpialls  pri^vailed. — May  22:  Light  rain;  very  gusty  at  times;  arrival  of  swallows  (Clielidon 
erjithrognster), — May  28;  Several  peals  of  loud  thunder  and  vivid  Hashes  of  lightning  in  the  distance;  tew  drops  of 
rain  ;  brownish  haze  has  xirevaileil  for  several  days. 

JUNE,  1877. 

June  1 :  lee  moving  in  from  the  iiortheast  and  northwest;  halo,  parhelia,  and  contact  arc. — June  2:  Ice  to 
southward  all  gone.- June  4  :  Light,  rain,  fog  later. — June  5:  Eoggy  early.— June  6  ;  Ice  all  gone  from  sight ;  salmon 
are  reported  to  be  plentiful  outside  the  island. — June  9  :  Kain  and  hail ;  a  single  peal  ni  thuniler. — June  10  ;  Eoggy  . 
vegetation  rapidly  springing  uji. — June  11  :  Traders  from  the  niqier  part  of  the  district  arrive;  reports  of  early 
spring  throughout  the  district. — June  16:  Many  peals  of  thunder;  rain  at  noon. — June  17;  Herrings  are  plentirni 
in  the  hay. — June  19:  Arrival  of  schooner  General  Miller  from  San  Francisco  via  IJnalashka.— June  20 :  Arrivalof 
Loleta  from  San  Francisco. — June  27  :  Very  hard  rain. — June  28:  Moderate  rain. 

JULY,  1877. 

July  2:  Light  rain.— July  3:  Mode)  ite  raiu. — July  5:  High  winds. — .Trily  6 :  Frost,  gne.ty  gale  from  the  east. — 
July  7  :  Moderate  gale  from  S.  to  N.-  July  8:  IiTcgnlar  rains. — Jr.ly  10:  Light  showers  at  intervals. — July  11  :  Light 
rain.— July  12:  Heavy  rain.— July  14:  High  winds;  arrival  of  steamer  St.  Paul  ;  orders  received  from  the  Olhce  of 
t'le  Chief  Signal  Oflicor,  U.  8.  Army,  directing  me  to  turn  over  all  property  of  the  United  States  in  my  possession  to 
Private  E.  \V.  Nelson,  Signal  Corps,  U.  S.  Army,  and  relieving  me  from  duty  at  this  station  ;  all  projicrty  was  turned 
over  and  I  proceeded  to  San  Francisco  and  thence  to  Washington,  I).  C. 

The  following  cousitlerations  of  the  meteorology  of  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael,  Alaska,  are 
intended  to  convey  a  general  description  of  the  principal  f'lvtures  incident  to  this  area.    Though 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TBE  NATUBAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASICA. 


27 


imperfect  as  the  knowledge  is,  and  recognizing  the  necessity  of  carefulness,  I  shall  endeavor  to 
]ir<',sent  only  facts,  and  leave  the  more  important  deductions  to  be  made  by  those  better  pre 
ti>  undertake  the  task. 

The  system  of  observations  undertaken  by  me  should  not  be  considered  perfect,  as  1  have,  in 
a  great  measure,  relied  upon  my  own  tact,  through  an  inability  to  obtain  the  mrch-desired  instruc- 
tion and  advice  from  the  proper  authority  from  the  first  to  the  last  of  my  three  years'  stay  at  this 
place. 

ATMOSPHERIC   PRESSURE. 

The  variability  of  pressure  at  all  seasons,  depending  aa  it  does  on  the  influence  of  locality,  is 
sometimes  greatly  extended,  so  that  a  considerable  district  is  included  in  the  area  of  low  pressure 
in  summer  and  generally  loccl  in  winter,  while  area  of  high  is  usually  more  restricted.  The 
fluctuations  of  the  barometric  column  are  great.  Usually  a  low  barometer  is  preceded  by  a  high 
range,  and  I'iec  rerna. 

The  oscillations,  considered  for  a  season,  are  much  greator  in  winter  than  in  summer.  At 
times  the  fall  is  regularly  graduated  and  at  others  rapid  in  extreme,  while  opposed  to  this  the 
coir,  u  is  s  )metimes  very  sluggish,  scarcely  moving  for  the  entire  day.  In  the  winter  oscillations 
a  rise  or  fall  of  seventy-five  hundredths  of  an  inch  is  recorded  several  times. 

The  average  low  winter  pressure  will  be  found  to  result  more  from  the  qu'  k  succession  of 
storms  than  from  any  other  cause.  Wave  after  wave  of  cold,  each  succeeded  by  one  of  warmer, 
will  keep  the  column  in  a  state  of  continual  oscillation.  The  fall  ij  usually  more  noticeable  and 
extended  in  winier  during  a  storm  from  the  north  or  northeast  than  from  any  neighboring  effect  of 
heat. 

The  oscillations  during  a  storm  correspond  to  the  variable  force  of  the  wind,  and  usually 
coexistent  with  the  greatest  force  of  the  wind. 

The  extreme  height  of  the  barometer  is  usual  in  November  upon  the  seating  in  of  winter, 
reading  .30.!)(J((;  a  corresponding  low  from  the  increasing  heat  of  summer  in  May,  reading  28.701. 
A  continued  maximum,  when  the  barometer  reads  above  .'50.00,  is  of  frequent  occurrence  in  all 
seasons  of  the  year.  A  corresponding  low  prevails  to  a  less  degree.  Often  periods  not  controlled 
by  other  than  local  influences  show  that  the  rain-fall  begins  at  one-tenth  of  an  inch  below  an 
assumed  mean  of  29.700,  and  the  column  wavers  upward  immediatelj^  on  the  fall  of  the  first  few 
drops. 

TEMPERATURE. 

The  range  of  temperature,  covering  the  extremes  of  75°  in  June  and — 50°  in  February,  is 
extremely  vaiiable  for  each  month,  and  this  for  the  different  years  is  irregular. 

Starting  from  April,  we  find  the  mean  monthly  heat  increases  almost  uniformly  to  a  niaxi- 
mum  mean  of  55".;?55  for  .Inly  and  52°.!)96  for  August,  then  as  steadily  declines  during  the  fall  and 
winter  months,  usually  reaching  its  minimum  mean  in  February  or  March. 

The  minimum  may  occur  in  either  of  these  months.  During  the  winter  the  temperature  is 
subject  to  a  greater  range  for  each  month  than  in  summer.  In  .lanuary  a  range  of  80°  has  been 
recorded  as  the  extremes  for  a  month,  and  in  July  a  range  of  32°  was  the  greatest.  Ranges 
nearly  as  great  as  the  former  may  ocwsr  at  irregular  periods  during  the  winter.  The  least  varia- 
tion between  the  extreme  means  for  any  two  days  in  a  month  is  lound  usually  in  August,  when 
80.5  is  read,  while  the  greatest  variation  between  the  extren)e  means  for  any  two  days  in  a  month 
is  found  ill  Jaimaiy,  giving  a  reading  of  50°.7r).  The  greatest  monthly  variation  is  found  in  July, 
with  the  mean  of  55°..'355,  and  February  having  a  mean  of — 23o.8,  making  a  dift'erence  for  the 
extremes  for  the  months  of  790.155.  That  this  latter  is  exceptional  will  be  seen  from  the  appended 
summary. 

The  least  daily  variation,  derived  from  the  maximuni  and  minimum  thermometers,  shows  only 
20.5,  while  4°  to  5°  is  common. 

HUMIDITY. 

The  prevailing  high  humidness  of  the  air  in  this  locality  shows  considerable  variance  between 
the  winter  and  summer;  in  the  latter  reading  occasionally  as  low  as  40  per  cent.,  and  usually  at 


«i 


i 


I 


i  I 


98  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 

70  per  cent,  reaches  its  maximum  extended  period  in  winter,  where  for  months  the  I'ecord  of  sat- 
uration is  not  broken.  This  is  further  proven  by  the  fact  that  a  piece  of  ice  half  an  inch  in  thick- 
ness will  be  two  months  clinging  to  an  er^ct  pole.  The  least  amount  of  vapor  iu  the  air  is  recorded 
from  11  a.  m.  to  3  p.  m.,  or  corresponding  to  the  maximum  heat  for  the  day. 

This  is,  I  believe,  somewhat  at  variance  from  the  usually  assumed  rale. 

The  humidity  of  the  various  surface-currents  also. presents  great  difierences.  The  northeast 
current  contains  least  humidity,  though  this  wind,  being  the  most  frequent,  presents  many 
irregularities. 

Following  the  card  of  winds  to  the  south,  the  humidity  increases,  while  south-southwest 
diminishes  to  a  slight  degree.  From  north  buck  to  southwest  the  humidity  increases.  Of  all  the 
wiuds,  the  southwest  contains  the  greatest  iunount  of  moisture,  aud  is  sure  to  result  in  rain  or  fog 
in  summer  if  the  wind  should  back.    To  this  the  month  of  June,  1877,  presented  some  exceptions. 

The  wind  blew  from  the  southwest  iluring  the  night,  laden  with  moisture,  and  backing  the  fol- 
lowing morning  to  north  or  northeast  (a  warmer  wind),  brought  on  fog  as  a  thin  stratum,  though 
not  at  auy  time  as  it  was  in  former  years. 

RAIN. 

Rain  usually  begins,  with  low,  foggy  clouds,  precipitating  small  drops,  and  generally  increasing 
iu  size  to  the  middle  of  the  shower,  then  decrease  to  taper  off  a  longer  time  than  beginning.  Mists 
to  moderate  is  the  usual  character  of  the  showers.  Hard  dashes  seldom  occur,  and  then  never 
with  that  violence  that  seems  to  fall  on  the  mainland  but  few  miles  distant,  or  in  warmer  countries. 
Shower  after  shower  hangs  in  the  neighborhood,  rarely  api)roaching  within  2  or  .'i  miles,  and 
carried  to  either  side,  generally  to  the  west..  Thunder  and  lightning  seldom  accompany  these 
showers.  Only  orce  has  a  shower,  accompanied  by  vivid  lightning  aud  loud  thunder,  passed  over 
head,  and  then  rivaled  a  thunderstorm  of  the  Middle  States.  Thuiuler  is  sometimes  heard  in  the 
ueighborhood,  though  not  more  than  three  or  four  times  on  an  average  in  a  year.  Li'-htniug  is 
yet  rarer.  The  greatest  amount  of  rain  usually  falls  iu  August,  and  for  any  one  ''.ay  the  greatest 
recorded  depth  is  .83  inch,  while  showers  are  frequent  that  give  .1  to  .3  inch. 

Rain  occurs  every  December  upon  the  winter  solstice.  The  exposed  thermometer  has  reail  24°, 
while  rain  during  this  period  occurred. 

Hail  from  a  heavy  cumulo-stratus  cloud  has  twice  fallen,  and  was  restricted  to  an  area  of  prob- 
ably less  than  3  scjuare  miles.  ]!fo  visible  electric  display  accompanied  these  falls.  The  latest 
raius  that  fall  are  frozen  the  instant  they  touch  the  earth,  these  octiurring  in  Cctober  or  November. 

I  have  thought  that  it  is  probably  a  provision  of  nature  to  overload  the  weeds  and  grasses  to 
break  them  to  the  ground,  that  the  seeds  may  be  more  protected  from  cold  by  the  approaching 
winter's  snow. 

SNOW. 

Snow  usually  falls  in  moderate  quantities.  A  depth  of  over  a  foot  has  occurred  but  twice  in 
three  years.  A  hard  wiud  generally  accompanies  the  storm,  so  that  it  is  usually  drifted  ihe  instant 
it  touches  the  ground.    It  may  fall  iu  any  month  but  July. 

Ouce  the  old  and  new  snow  met  on  the  highest  hilltops.  Varied  forms  of  flakes  are  met,  but 
usually  the  compound  flakes  are  precipitated  ujwn  a  high  temperature,  while  the  smaller  kinds 
fall  during  cold.  Often  fine  flour  like  particles  are  sifted  from  a  thin  veil  of  cirro-stratus  aud  thin 
stratus;  this  rarely  exceeds  one-tenth  of  an  inch  in  depth.  During  clear  weather  frost  crystals  sift 
from  the  sky  and  can  ouly  be  recognized  by  looking  over  the  top  of  a  building  while  the  coznb  of 
the  roof  hides  the  sun.  It  is  probable  that  the  greater  part  of  these  frost  films  do  not  reach  the 
ground,  as  all  my  endeavors  to  collect  them  on  black  paper  iu  a  situation  well  guarded  against 
currents  of  air  were  fruitless.  Sometimes  when  a  crust  is  formed  on  the  snow,  the  heat  absorbed 
into  the  earth  through  the  snow  liberates  vapor,  which,  emerging  through  the  snow,  is  crystallized 
in  loug  spicule  like  a  forest  of  feathers,  minature  ferns,  and  palm  leaves. 

In  February,  1875, 1  noticed  a  V-shaped  halo  on  the  ice  below  me,  and  extending  a  great 
distance,  regularly  diverging  with  the  apex  toward  me.  I  now  venture  to  suggest  that  these 
frost-crystals  on  the  ice  might  produce  such  refraction  and  reflectio)'. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


29 


Frost  spiculiB  attaiu  a  length  of  2  iuches  during  a  temperature  between  zero  and  melting- 
point  of  ice  and  a  light  southwest  wind.  These  grow  on  all  objects,  though  on  posts,  palings, 
feathers  and  hairs  the  most  beautiful  needles  are  formed.  They  are  generally  broken  off  by 
a  succeeding  wind. 

The  results  obtained  from  measurements  of  snow  have  been  very  much  less  than  the  actual 
amount.  No  sooner  does  a  snow  begin  to  fall  than  a  wind  will  drift  it  into  the  sea  or  interior. 
The  annual  fall  is  probably  not  one-half  so  great  on  this  part  of  the  coast  as  it  is  in  the  interior 
but  few  miles. 

I  estimate  that  only  about  three-fifths  of  the  true  amount  has  been  recorded,  so  deficient  have 
been  the  snow  measurements.  It  has  a  range  of  seventy  degrees  of  temperature  for  falling. 
Large  flaltes,  almost  snow-balls,  have  fallen  when  the  exposed  thermometer  read  40°,  and  the 
lowest  has  been— 30°. 

The  greater  amount  of  snow  falls  in  March,  and  as  this  month  is  the  windiest,  it  is  very 
evident  that  the  foregoing  statement  may  be  correct.  1  estimate,  roughly  of  course,  that  tlie 
snowfall  of  winter  is  fully  one-third  greater  than  the  rain-fall  for  summer. 


DEW. 

Dew  is  not  often  noticed,  probably  from  the  fact  of  the  short  nights  during  the  period 
that  dew  should  fall.  It  is  most  often  noticed  in  August  and  September,  sometimes  forming 
copiously. 

FOG. 

Fog  is  rare  in  winter  and  more  common  in  summer,  as  often  the  result  of  the  low  descent  of 
clouds  as  to  the  effect  of  the  intermingling  of  two  currents  of  air  having  different  temper.tures. 
Fog-patches  are  often  seen  on  the  h)w  grounds.  A  general  fog  attends  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice 
in  spring,  and  is  said  to  be  an  index  to  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice  in  the  Yukon  River.  On  two 
occasions  this  has  been  verified. 

Tlie  fog-cloud  seldom  lasts  longer  than  a  day,  still  more  often  for  only  a  few  hours,  though 
intervals  of  more  or  less  density  have  prevailed  for  two  or  three  ti  ys.  A  wind  backing  to  the 
southwest  after  a  warm  spell  usually  produces  the  most  persistent  fog. 

CLOUDS. 

Situated  as  this  part  of  the  country  is,  and  partaking  the  nature  of  both  a  marine  and  con 
tinental  climate,  tlie  amount  of  cloudiness  is  not  so  gro"t,  after  taking  an  extended  i)eriod  into 
consideration. 

The  proportion  of  cloudiness  is  taken  at  2  p.  n>. ;  about  equal  to  the  amount  of  clear  ami  fair 
days  taken  at  the  same  hour  of  the  day. 

From  June  to  November  the  amount  of  entire  cloudiness  consumes  about  two-thirds  of  the 
time. 

From  November  to  March  the  number  of  clear  days  equal  at  least  those  of  cloudy,  while  fair 
days  are  proportionate  equally  to  either. 

The  ratio  of  clear  to  cloudy  is  one  t  -  three,  wliile  fair  stands  two  to  three.  To  be  plainer,  one 
day  in  six  is  clear,  two  fair  and  three  cloudy,  when  taken  for  an  extended  period. 

The  greatest  number  of  clear  days  occur  in  November  and  February  ;  the  latter  somewhat  in 
excess  of  the  former  month. 

.       STEATUS. 

I  have  divided  the  stratus  cloud  according  to  its  apparent  height  by  a  qualifying  word. 

This  cloud,  usually  low  or  at  a  medium  height,  presents  its  characteristic  color.  Variability 
of  color  is  recorded  whenever  occurring. 

Sometimes  in  moderate  weather  the  color  assumes  the  deepest  blue-black,  having  this  color 
more  intensely  than  in  any  other  form  of  cloud. 

Stratus  prevails  to  a  greater  extent  than  any  other  cloud,  often  continuing  for  nearly  a  month 


30 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


at  a  time.  Stratus  and  nimbus  are  so  intimately  related  that  to  separate  them  would  add  con- 
fusion, and  I  have  used  the  term  nimbus  for  an  actual  rainiug-cloud.  From  these  two  kinds  the 
groater  part  of  the  precipitation  falls,  excepting  the  finest  particles  of  snow. 

OUMULO-STBATUS. 

Cumulo-stratus,  attendant  upon  the  wannest  days  of  summer,  is  the  most  prevalent  cloud 
during;  that  season,  and  attains  the  majjnitude  it  does  in  warmer  latitudes.  Far  in  the  edge  of 
the  east  or  south  horizon,  several  small,  firmly-outlined  clouds  will  expand  to  overspread  the 
greater  part  of  the  lieavena  by  2  p.  m.,  and  from  these  the  most  copious  showers  of  rain  fall.  The 
height  of  this  cloud  is  from  '2,000  feet  to  about  2  miles,  usually  of  blue  color  and  white  edges. 

CUMULUS. 

Cumuli  are  classed  as  belonging  to  the  lower  system  of  clouds,  and  rarely  present  any  other 
appearance  than  extraordinary  cuniulo  stratus.  But  few  distinctions  have  been  made  in  the  daily 
journal  between  these  two  clouds. 

True  cumuli  r.irely  approac^h  nearer  than  G  to  10  miles,  and  more  often  the  heads  of  the 
clouds  are  but  little  raised  above  the  horizon.  These  clouds  are  principally  formed  in  the  south- 
east and  west-southwest. 

I  noticet'  rain  to  pour  from  one  of  these  clouds  in  June,  1875,  for  several  hours  on  the  main- 
laud,  about  20  miles  distant,  and  accompanied  by  thunder  and  lightning. 

The  usual  color  is  dark  blue  to  bright  indigo,  and  occasionally  silver-edged. 


'I  ia 


;i  I 


I     nil 


CIRRO-STRATUS. 

Cirro-stratus  is  not  often  observed,  and  is  usually  the  result  of  rapidly  descending  cirri. 
StTatus  and  cirro-stratus  are  at  times  scarcely  distinguishable.  Snow  in  finest,  rouud,  firm  ritts 
form  this  cloud  in  winter.    The  usual  color  is  grayish. 

PALLIO-CIRBirS. 

This  cloud  forms  itself  in  such  an  incredibly  short  time  as  to  give  but  little  time  for  its  study  • 
it  disappears  as  suiblenly.  Usually  i)erfe<;t,  and  really  an  exaggerated  form  of  low  globular  cirro- 
cumulus,  rarely  moves  from  any  other  point  than  north  or  south,  an<l  is  almost  certain  to  result 
in  snow.  It  seldom  remains  longer  than  three  hours,  and  but  once  hung  for  three  days,  this  sel- 
dom attaining  sutlicient  density  to  veil  the  sun,  and  i)resents  that  singular  phenomenon  of  sunshine 
and  clouds.     It  has  a  , 'ale-blue  rounded  form  and  white-edged,  seemingly  in  a  state  of  repnlsion. 


riRRO-OUMULI. 


The  prevr.iling  forms  of  this  cloud  are  the  apparent  converging  biinds,  often  of  the  greatest 
delicaciy  of  texture. 

On  one  occasion  eleven  perfect  bands  were  seen,  and  four  to  seven  being  common.  These 
bands  usually  extend  due  eust  and  west,  moving  from  south,  rarely  from  north;  and  northwest 
and  southeast,  moving  from  northwest,  rarer  still  north  and  south,  moving  from  either  point, 
though  more  frequently  from  south  ;  and  southwest  and  northeast  from  either  point,  though  most 
frequently  from  northeast. 

These  bands  most  often  extending  east  and  west  is  probably  due  to  the  indrawiug  effect  of 
tl'  •  ascending  and  descending  currents  near  this  latitude* 

Broken  bands  and  irregular  forms  are  common.    One  of  these  irregular  forms  is  like  a  wall  of 

onry  with  the  mortar  left  ont,  and,  if  in  the  east  or  west  near  the  time  of  sunrise  or  sunset,  it 
itt  •■li  -it  beautifully  tinted  with  a  rather  deep  pink,  forming  a  splendid  spectacle. 

The  cirro-cumulus  cloud  has  a  great  range  through  the  atmosphere  of  probably  1  to  4  miles. 
Their  color  is  usually  pale  pearly-blue  to  white. 


OONTRlBUTION^i  TO  THE  NATURAL  III  STORY  OF  ALASKA. 


81 


OIBBl. 

The  prevailing  forms  of  tiiis  doinl  are  pencil-strortks  uiul  wliirls.  Many  inotllHfations  octsiir, 
which  bring  the  cirri  and  cirro  cnniiihis  in  such  close  relationship  that  it  is  often  a  matter  of  nice 
discrimiinition  to  separate  them.  In  this  condition  the.v  ar»<  recorded  as  intermixiMl.  This  condi- 
tion may  continue  for  several  days  with  not  another  cloud  to  ho  seen,  and  calia  to  gentle  surface- 
currents,  while  the  two  clouds  are  being  rapidly  hurled  from  north  to  south,  or,  more  commonly, 
rice  verna. 

Above  this  intermixture  and  the  upper  limits  of  the  cirri  are  nniltitudinous  modilications  of 
the  primary  cirri.  Among  these  the  i)rincipal  varieties  arc  Jelly  lish  (usually  head  to  the  wind), 
horsetails  (rare),  wisps,  plumes,  and  (iloplumatc  curls,  pectinate  and  (iouble  pectinate;  forms  like 
the  blur  of  a  moderately-stretched  cord  having  locks  of  loose  ('(ttton  closely  arranged  on  it  antl  the 
string  put  in  motion  with,  a  twang  of  the  linger.  This  api»ears  to  be  the  pencil  and  curl  cloud 
interformed. 

Many  other  varieties,  such  as  the  fancy  can  suggest,  are  alsd  seen.  The  cirro-cumuli  and  cirri 
in  this  latitude  presents  such  attractive  forms  tiiat  the  pen  cannot  describe  and  only  the  most 
skillful  brush  portray. 

Pale,  scarcely  distinguishable  cirri  rapidly  lorm  the  frayed  curl  cloud,  descend  through  the 
cirro-cunuilus  region,  seem  to  miss  the  cirro-stratus,  and  form  stratus  in  su(!h  a  short  time  that  it 
is  hardly  credible.    Rain  in  the  summer  or  snow  in  winter  is  sure  to  result  from  this  rapid  descent. 


SUNSET   SHADOWS. 


Sunset  shadows  are  seldom  se(^n,  and  more  rarely  perfect.    On  one  occasion  eleven  jterfect 
bands  or  lingers  were  seen  to  point  to  the  zenith  when  the  sun  was  within  2  degrees  of  setting. 


CLEAR  WEATHER. 

The  sky  is  often  clear  of  cloiuls  for  days  at  a  time,  especially  in  the  months  of  November  and 
February;  clear  days  occur  rarely  in  the  summer,  and  are  then  ])leasaut  in  the  extreme. 

1  have  entered  only  absolutely  clenr  weather  as  clear,  or  w  ith  such  few  exceptions  as  will 
readily  show  themselves. 

WINDS. 

In  the  earlier  months  of  my  stay  at  this  station  1  recorded  the  winds  in  tiu-ii'  subdivisions  of 
the  eight  principal  jwints  of  the  (iompass,  but  later  I  have  disregarded  this  on  account  of  the 
extreme  unsteadiness  of  all  winds. 

The  oscillations  of  the  vane  are  extremely  rapid,  and  covering  on  oiu'  occasion  a  range  of  180 
degrees,  while  the  usual  swing  is  15  to  SO  degrees,  4o  being  common ;  steadiness  of  the  vane  being 
very  rare,  and  then  only  in  light  to  fresh  winds. 

SURFACE  (J UKUEN  IS. 

North  irhid, — This  wind  i»revailing  in  the  southwest  and  westerly  quadrants  of  storms,  has  a 
general  tendency  to  veer,  and  often,  by  its  extrenu;  unsteadiness,  oscillates  from  north  18*^  degrees 
W.  to  NNB.,  or  even  to  ENE.  It  blows  for  days  together  without  a  sign  of  clouil.  Its  velocity 
is  extremely  variable,  from  light  breeze  to  a  terrillc  hurricane. 

In  October  it  blows  for  weeks  at  a  late  of  from  1,1  to  70  miles  per  hour,  while  for  the  other 
seasons  its  average  rate  is  about  34  miles.  During  the  prevalence  of  this  wind  fair  to  clear 
weather  obtains.  This  wind  is  taken  as  the  standard  for  relative  freiiuency,  and  will  be  considered 
as  the  unit  of  ratio. 

The  temperature  of  this  wind  is  low. 

NortheaM  wind. — The  northeast  current  so  nearly  resembles  that  of  the  north  that  to  separate 
them  is  more  convenient  than  advisable.  The  oscillaticnis  of  the  vane,  during  high  winds  from  this 
point,  cover  two-thirds  of  the  oscillations  for  the  north  wind,  besides  having  its  own  tendency  to 
eastward.    Its  velocity  is  usually  about  31  miles,  and  ranges  from  light  to  highest  storm-rate. 


w 


i  i; 


89 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALA«KA. 


This  wind  ia  the  most  frequent,  and  haa  the  ratio  of  two  to  one  of  the  north  wind.  Its  temper- 
ature is  higher  than  that  of  the  north  wind. 

East  icind, — A  due  east  wind  seldom  prevails,  as  it  has  an  oast- northeast  or  east-southeast 
tendency.  It  seldom  lasts  longer  than  one  day,  and  usually  for  only  a  few  hours,  as  it  is  in  general 
only  blowing  during  the  passage  of  northeast  to  south.  Its  velocity  is  high,  about  28  miles  per 
hour,  and  on  two  occasions  has  exerted  itself  to  a  hurricane-rate,  once  of  H(5  miles  and  at  another 
time  of  highest  storm-rate.     Its  temperature  is  warm,  generally  pleasant. 

It  has  the  ratio  of  flve-tenths  to  that  of  the  north  wind. 

Sovtlieant  tcind. — The  wind  prevails  from  this  point  so  seldom,  and  often  in  the  relapse  of  the 
north  quadrant  of  storms,  or  else  when  the  northeast  wind  is  veering  to  south  for  a  long  i)eriod. 

This  is  the  warmest  of  all  the  winds,  and  raises  the  temperature  many  degrees  in  spring,  at 
the  season  when  this  wind  occurs  most  often,  and  attaining  its  greatest  violence,  sometimes  that 
of  a  hurricane-rate  to  that  of  highest  gale.    It  is  intimately  connected  with  the  south  wind. 

Exceptions  hold  this  wind  for  thirty  hours,  but  the  average  duration  is  not  longer  than  Ave 
hours,  with  an  average  rate  of  35  miles,  always  having  a  tendency  to  veer.  It  has  a  ratio  of  .25 
to  the  north  wind. 

South  wind. — The  surface  current  from  this  point  is  the  most  frequent  of  the  southerly  winds. 
It  is  the  great  current  pushing  toward  all  the  storm  centers  of  Northern  Alaska.  For  days  in 
winter,  and  longer  in  summer,  it  will  burl  masses  of  air  at  least  a  mile  deej),  and  often  4  miles 
deep,  northward,  at  a  rate  of  60  miles  per  hour,  and  ibr  hours  asserts  its  terrific  hurricane  strength 
of  85  to  over  100  miles  per  hour.  A  short  lull  usually  occurs  in  the  center  of  these  storms.  The 
vane  is  comparatively  steady,  considered  for  hours,  but  has  sometimes  a  backing  or  veering  tend- 
ency, or  even  both,  of  20  or  25  degrees  on  either  side  of  south. 

To  this  wind  we  owe  our  very  esfistence  in  this  country.  By  its  power  the  ice  is  forced 
through  the  straits.  The  tides  caused  by  this  wind  raise  up  and  break  the  otherwise  iirmly 
bound  shore-ice.  Our  annual  supply  of  wood  is  thrown  on  shore  by  this  wiml  and  its  accompany- 
ing tides. 

The  temperature  of  this  wind  is  higher  than  any  other  wind,  excepting  the  southeast.  It  has 
about  the  same  frequency  as  the  north  wind. 

Southiccst  tcind, — This  wind,  occurring  so  frequently  and  usually  the  resting  point  for  backing 
winds  from  the  northeast,  has  a  ratio  of  four-fiftlis  to  one  of  the  north  wind  for  frequency.  Being 
most  often  the  result  of  a  backing  wind,  it  has  the  effect  to  reduce  the  temperature  15  to  20 
degrees.  By  its  low  temperature  it  causes  the  greater  amount  of  fog  at  this  place.  It  always 
has  a  tendency  to  veer,  rarely  backs,  and  especially  to  veer  if  the  wind  should  hack  to  this  point. 
Its  rate  is  usually  30  miles  per  hour,  and  very  seldom  blows  over  50  niiles  per  hour. 

West  icind. — This  wind,  usually  prevailing  in  that  quarter  only  temporarily,  and  from  a  backing 
wind,  has  an  eflfect  to  lower  the  temperature,  but  if  veering  to  raise  it.  This  wind,  usually  fresh 
to  brisk,  has  but  once  reached  a  gale  rate  of  55  miles  per  hour.  It  has  a  ratio  of  .25  to  one  of  the 
north  wind. 

Norfhicent  wind. — This  is  intimately  connected  with  the  west  wind,  and  like  it  usually  tempo- 
rary in  that  point  for  only  a  short  time,  and  usually  the  result  of  backing.  Its  temperature  is  low. 
Its  ratio  to  the  north  wind  is  as  one-fifth  to  one. 

The  rate  of  the  wind  is  inconsiderable,  seldom  over  a  brisk  rate,  and  its  highest  recorded 
velocity  is  48  miles  an  hour. 

That  the  west  and  northwest  winds  should  occur  most  frequently  I  am  led  to  infer  from  the 
fact  that  during  the  winter  of  my  first  year  at  this  station  a  delegate  was  sent  from  the  neigh- 
boring native  village  to  request  me  to  turn  the  dial  of  the  anemometer  so  that  it  should  face  the 
west,  as  it  faced  east-northeast,  as  the  reindeer  in  moving  go  against  the  wind,  and  that  would 
bring  them  to  this  part  of  the  coast. 

After  some  i^f'.iey  I  convinced  the  native  that  the  machine  did  not  make  the  wind.  I  never 
heard  anything  more  about  it. 


CONTKIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


88 


OENERAL  REMARKS  OONOERNINO   THE   WIND. 

Tlie  iiiterincditito  wIiuIh  liavo  boon  left  out,  and  included  in  tlie  reiiiiirkR  for  tlie  ei(;lit  principiil 
pointH.     A  few  reniurks  coiiceiiiing  tlie  surface  winds  will  not  lie  out  of  place. 

The  effect  of  Itackiiiff,  if  on  tlie  west  side,  is  to  lower  the  temperature ;  heune  t«  veer  on  that 
side  is  to  raise  tlie  temperature. 

To  veer  oil  the  east  side  Is  to  raise  tlie  temperature;  to  ba<"k  is  to  lower  the  temperature. 
The  ratio  or  frequency  of  veerinjj  or  backing  is  {{reater  for  the  latter.  A  view  of  the  "  summary  " 
will  show  the  number  of  times  of  frequency  from  ail  recorded  points  of  the  winds. 

Upper  ciirrentK. — Of  these  there  are  four,  of  which  the  one  from  the  south  is  the  most  frequeiiti 
and  probably  equal  to  that  of  all  others.  The  north  current  is  the  next  most  freciuent;  then  is 
followed  by  one  from  southeast  and  one  from  northwest,  the  former  in  excess  of  the  latter  for 
number  of  times. 

At  times  streams  of  upper  clouds  are  carried  from  south  for  days  and  even  weeks  at  a  time; 
even  if  the  lower  sky  should  be  cl(Hide<l  for  a  time  during  this  period,  I  have  reason  to  believe  that 
the  u|)per  current  has  not  been  interriii)ted. 

During  the  latter  days  of  my  stay  1  began  to  foretell  changes  of  wind  on  the  surface  from  north 
to  south  by  these  upper  clouds  moving  from  north.  It  has  but  rarely  failed  unless  the  whole 
mass  of  the  atmosphere  was  to  move  from  the  south. 

TIDES. 

Tides  toriiiing  a  part  of  my  regular  observations,  demand  attt  ntion.  The  obstuvations  have 
been  most  of  tiie  time  without  a  proper  gauge,  as  tlu^  bottom  in  the  arm  of  the  sea  here  consists 
of  line  volcanic  gravel  and  ashes,  w  liicli  make  a  very  unstable  fbiiiidation  for  a  gauge.  The  high 
waves  have  carried  out  three  gauges;  hence  I  have  adopted  permanent  stones  and  rocks  for  the 
necessary  measurements. 

The  effect  of  the  attraction  of  the  sun  and  moon  on  the  water  in  Norton  Sound  is  to  raise  a 
tidal  wave  of  about  '2i  feet  in  height.  This  is  proven  during  periods  of  comparative  (juiet,  when 
the  winds  are  at  rest. 

The  winds  having  a  much  greater  effect  will  be  considered  next. 

Starting  from  the  nortli  and  northeast,  the  effect  of  brisk  to  high  winds  continued  for  two 
days  is  to  lower  the  water  of  this  part  of  the  sound  about  li  feet,  and  continues  in  this  pro[)ortiou 
for  each  day  of  winds  from  those  points,  though  a  northeast  wind  is  more  effective  than  a  north 
wind,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  trend  of  the  coast  and  the  low  pressure  to  the  westward. 

The  east  wind  occurring  but  seldom,  and  never  so  vigorous  as  to  produce  any  apiireciablo 
effect,  is  left  out  of  the  question. 

The  southeast  wind,  holding  for  two  days,  by  itw  southward  tendency  always  raises  a  tide  4 
to  6  feet  above  mean.  This  extreme  tide  occurs  usually  in  the  months  of  iMay  and  September. 
The  south  wind  exerts  the  greatest  force,  and  raises  the  tidal  wave  to  the  extreme  of  (i  to  7  feet 
above  mean  tide. 

The  hard  storm  attendant  upon  the  winter  solstice  produces  annually  an  extnMiie  tide  of  7  to 
8  feet.    This,  and  the  southeast  wind  are  the  oi)posite  in  power  to  the  north  and  northeast. 

The  north  wind  in  the  month  of  October,  acquiring  a  high  storm  velocity  and  lasting  for 
many  days  together,  throws  7  to  S  feet  of  water  out  of  Norton  Sound. 

The  shallowness  of  the  3-fathoni  curve  bounding  this  part  of  the  coast,  and  the  low  tide, 
would  render  it  very  unsafe  for  any  craft  to  be  inside. 

The  beach  around  the  island,  facing  the  sea,  is  narrow,  only  a  few  feet,  and  composed  of  fine 
volcanic  sand,  the  remains  of  the  solitary  basalt-rock  which  forms  the  foundation  of  all  this  part 
of  the  coast,  and,  from  its  extreme  hardness,  is  well  termed  iron-bound. 

When  I  first  came  here  I  uitule  notice  of  certain  unchangeable  places  on  the  beach,  and  these 
are  now  18  inches  above  the  level  taken  at  that  time. 

American  traders  who  have  been  here  ever  since  the  occui)ation  of  the  Territory  concur  with 

me  ill  the  statement,  i.  c,  that  the  coast  is  rising.    The  natives  inform  me  that  many  years  ago 

an  earthquake  occurred  in  this  locality  and  raised  the  coast  several  feet  in  the  neighborhood  of 

Kegtikhtouk,  a  village  about  18  miles  east  of  this  place.    The  fierce  beating  of  the  north  and 

S.  Mis.  155 5 


I    ll 


if 


j  'I 

i  i! 


ll! 


il 

if 

I 

i 

i 

r 

' 

34 


CONTBIBUTIONH  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


i^i 


northeast  wIikIh  in  October  throws  huge  winnows  of  sand  on  the  beach,  and  are  not  conformed 
with  tlie  general  level  until  the  following  spring. 

It  is  rare  that  more  than  one  tide  occnrs  in  a  day,  and  in  those  times  is  what  is  termed  a 
long  and  short  tide. 

The  usual  time  of  high  water  occurs  fifty  minutes  later  each  day,  though  there  are  so  many 
exceptions  that  it  cannot  be  given  as  a  rule. 

For  several  days  the  rising  of  the  tide  is  shortened  in  time,  and  floods  at  nearly  the  same 
hour  for  several  days.    No  positive  rules  can  be  laid  down  by  me  on  the  tides. 

■  RAINBOW. 

This  spectacle  occurs  seldom,  by  reason  of  the  entire  cloudiness  during  rain.  In  summer  the 
bow  is  HOinetimes  complet<>,  and  does  not  (lifter  from  those  in  lower  latitudes.  In  winter  an  arc  of 
10  to  20  degrees  will  sometimes  l)e  seen,  and  on  one  occasion,  when  only  a  slight  rift  toward  the 
sun  made  opposite  to  it  a  rainbow  wIiosa  length  was  scarcely  half  its  width. 

In  November,  1874,  an  arc  of  15  degrees  in  height  was  seen,  and  besides  the  primary  bow  there 
were  three  supernumerary  bows  of  variable  colors,  as  given  in  the  journal  lor  that  day. 

I  can  conceive  of  no  more  beautiful  object  in  nature  than  this  spectacle  so  brightly  displayed 
against  a  sky  of  leaden  hue. 

The  fog-bow  is  sometimes  seen  during  the  day,  and  on  several  occasions  after  night.  Only 
once,  and  then  after  night,  <Iid  it  incline  toward  prismatic  coloration,  aud  that  of  faintest  re<l. 

conoN<E. 

Ooronn)  have  never  been  seen,  excepting  surrounding  the  moon.  A  white  mass  of  stratus  in 
winter,  if  not  of  too  great  density,  produces  this  phenomenon  in  its  greatest  brilliancy.  The 
ditt'erent  rings  are  of  variable  width. 

HALOS. 

I  shall  divide  the  halos  into  three  classes,  according  to  intensity  or  absence  of  coloration. 

A  pure  white  halo  of  22  degrees  often  occurs  tluring  a  time  of  clear  upper  sky  and  the  lower 
atmosphere  lilled  with  finest  frozen  fog  like  particles.  It  is  probably  due  to  the  smallness  of 
these  particles  that  the  halo  is  colorless,  for  the  Siiiue  reason  that  a  fog-bow  should  be  white. 

A  second  kind  of  halo  occurs  fretpiently,  which  I  have  recorded  on  the  Form  4  as  a  dark  halo 
of  22  degrees.  It  usually  occurs  during  a  very  dense  streaked  cirri  veil,  and  increases  to  such 
deuisity  as  to  obscure  the  sun. 

In  my  earlier  days  I  have  frequently  noticed  that  if  a  pieese  of  perfectly  clear  ice  is  held  at  a 
certain  angle,  and  looked  through  edgewise,  it  appears  bhick.  I  now  venture  to  suggest  that  the 
films  of  ice  in  the  atmosithere  were  descending  at  this  angle,  and  hence  the  bah)  appears  dark. 
The  inner  edge  of  the  ring  is  usually  whitish,  but  the  lino  dividing  the  dark  and  white  circles  is 
very  apparent  to  an  observer. 

This  halo  and  the  first  mentioned  halo  are  always  without  parhelia  or  contact  arches. 

Tlie  third  class  comprises  all  the  halos  that  exhibit  prismatic  colors. 

The  sun  during  the  season  for  this  phenomenon  does  not  rise  sufficiently  above  the  horizon  to 
permit  an  entire  lialo  of  22  degrees  to  be  observed,  but  it  has  frequently  descended  to  the  ground 
aud  not  distant  half  a  mile;  and  was  one  time,  as  previously  referred  to,  seen  on  the  ice  at  a 
diverging  angle;  probably  the  reflection  of  tl'e  portion  in  the  air.  The  halo  of  45  degrees  has 
been  recordcul  several  times.  These  two  alone  present  coloration,  oftentimes  very  brilliant,  but 
always  less  so  on  the  one  of  45  degrees  than  on  the  one  of  22  degrees.  The  parhelic  circle  has 
been  "'  on  complete  on  two  occasions,  and  always  white. 

Parhelia  at  the  intersection  of  the  two  halos  are  common  enough ;  often  the  tail  is  prolonged 
to  several  degrees.  The  coloration  oi  these  is  extremely  bright,  and  sometimes  so  brilliant  as  to 
dazzle  the  eyes.    The  contact  arch  is  seen  only  above  the  sun  for  reasons  stated  before. 

These  are  more  noticeable  during  the  descent  of  frost  films,  and  are  best  observed  by  looking 
over  the  top  of  a  buildiug  to  hide  the  sun. 

The  "horns"  are  fully  developed,  with  the  lenticular  space  well  preserved.    They  exhibit 


CONTBrilUTrONS  TOTHH  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


80 


pale,  iiriHinatiu  colors,  inoHt  ot'teii  red.  Vertical  boniiis  are  soinutiuieH  noticed,  but  tiiey  rarely 
intersect  the  halo  of  22  <IeKreet«.  They  are  more  often  5  to  H  deK''«5«'*t  above  and  below  the  hiui  or 
moou.  Like  the  parhelic  circle,  they  contain  no  triu'.e  of  coloration.  The  antheliuii  in  Heen  only 
with  the  parhelic  circle  complete. 

In  March,  1876,  traccH  of  parhelia,  on  the  parhelic  circle,  indicated  the  presence  of  the  liulo  of 
00  degrees  radius.    lu  May,  1877,  it  was  more  plainly  seen. 

MIUAOE. 

I  have  divided  this  phenomenon  into  two  kinds,  viz,  vertical  and  horizontal,  or  lateral,  the 
vertical  mirai;e  beinj;  the  commoner  of  the  two. 

During  the  moderately  fresh  winds,  or  seusouH  of  calm  in  winter  on  clear  days,  this  kind  of 
mirage  is  seen.  It  lasts  with  varying  intensity  for  the  entire  day,  oft«u  extending  along  the  coast 
for  miles.  The  horizontal  mirage  is  less  common  and  usually  weak.  Occasionally  the  high  hill- 
tops, off  30  or  40  miles,  are  thrown  into  the  greatest  confusion,  or  else  extendctl  laterally  over  a 
consitlerable  area,  or  distorted  and  broken. 

This  kind  of  mirage  seldom  lasts  more  than  half  an  hour  after  the  sun  has  risen,  and  is  the 
most  intense  about  half  an  hour  before  sunrise. 

The  rapidity  of  motion  is  greater  in  the  lateral  than  in  the  vertical  kind.  The  low  coast  and 
absence  of  trees  and  bare  rocks  on  the  hill  sides  do  not  allow  of  very  much  variety  in  either  kind 
of  mirage. 

TWILIGHT  CURVES. 

Twilight  curves  may  be  seen  at  any  time  after  sunset  or  before  sunrise,  during  clear  weatiier. 

Their  ocicurrence  beiug  as  certain  a«  the  setting  of  the  sun,  I  have  kept  no  reconl  of  tliein  except 

in  the  daily  journal,  and  there  have  merely  alluded  to  them  as  having  occurred  during  the  period 

referred  to. 

ELEOTBIOITY. 

Klectricity  haa  shown  itself  to  be  very  abundant  during  the  periods  of  great  cold  in  winter. 
Having  no  special  instruments  to  determine  intensity  of  kiiul,  I  shall  confine  my  remarks  to  those 
occasions  when  it  was  developed  by  friction  of  the  hand  on  the  fur  of  a  dead  animal. 

A  conple  of  foetal  seals  had  been  stuii'ed  with  straw,  and  as  my  hand  was  stroking  them  one 
evening  in  the  dark  1  noticed  sheets  of  electricity  to  follow  the  hand,  accompanied  by  the  charac- 
teristic crackling.  I  then  tried  an  india-rubber  comb  on  my  dry  head,  and  found  that  very  con- 
siderable sparks  could  be  drawn  out. 

At  another  time  I  had  occasion  to  tear  a  piece  of  muslin  that  had  been  washed,  and  being 
where  the  temperature  was  at  least  minus  16°  Fah.,  I  found  that  by  simply  tearing  the  cloth  a 
streak  of  light  much  like  that  produced  by  drawing  a  match  across  the  moist  palm  of  the  hand  in 
the  dark  could  be  plainly  seen.  I  repeated  the  experiment  several  times,  and  extended  it  to  stiff 
manila  paper,  and  with  the  same  results. 

I  requested  Mr.  Neumann,  agent  of 'the  Alaska  Commercial  Company,  to  try  the  experiment, 
and  some  time  afterward  he  assured  me  of  his  success  in  producing  the  same  results. 

In  fact,  the  air  seems  to  be  filled  with  electricity  during  the  above-mentioned  periods.  This 
naturally  brings  me  to  the  magnetic  variation  of  this  place. 

I  placed  the  compass  carefully  on  a  board  constructed  to  point  due  north,  and  for  months 
at  a  time  I  have  never  seen  a  tenth  of  a  degree  variation  of  the  needle  from  23  degrees  east,  not 
even  a  tremor  being  observed  during  an  auroral  display.  This  22  degree  (!)  variation  is  exactly 
what  Capt.  E.  E.  Sudth,  of  the  schooner  Eustace,  informed  me  bad  been  before  determined,  but 
by  whom  ascertained  is  unknown  to  me. 

ATTBOBAS. 

The  auroral  displays  seen  at  this  station  naturally  divide  themselves  into  two  classes,  accord- 
ing to  their  intensity. 

The  first  of  these  is  what  I  have  described  as  an  auroral  haze.  It  has  very  slight  intensity, 
no  particular  form,  seldom  lasts  long,  and  more  seldom  recurs.  This  is  the  most  common  display 
recorded. 


36 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HIHTORY  OF  ALAHKA. 


m 


Tlie  Hvcoiid  cliiHH  will  eiubniuu  nil  other  kiiitlH,  with  their  vnriiibliMieHN  of  inteiiHity  iind  form. 
Rarely  tin  iirish  forum  itMelf  inileMH  pretuHltMl  hy  the  HrHt  cIuhh  uh  ii  hiize. 

TIiIh  Neeontl  cIimh  to  he  produced,  the  haze  KntlxMHiiito  u  pidv  narrow  areh  of  variable  heiuht, 
UHiinlly  at  20  de^reeN  altitiiile,  jiiereaMeH  in  liriKhtneNH  by  U  o'clock,  and  then  forniH  a  Hccnnd  arch 
above,  at  u  dixtance  varying  from  r>  to  20  dcKrecH,  and  rarely  more  than  0  to  10  de^reeH  wide. 
Three  or  more  archcH  are  rare.  The  Ninf;learched  variety  liaH  iti*  eaHterii  and  wentern  end« 
incurved  lit  timcH.  Also  the  ea.stern  end  Ih  often  broken  into  a  Mheet,  or  patcheH  irrettnlarly 
Mcattered,  but  in  the  maximum  inteiiNity  they  are  nbNorbed  into  tlie  areh.  HeaniN,  waven,  Htream- 
era,  folds,  and  other  fiiiitaNtic  pert iirhationN  attend  a  brilliant  diHplay.  TheNC  ImaniM  move  eiiHt 
to  west,  or  rice  rerun,  on  the  arch  with  a  fri(;htful  velcM-ily.  Sometimes  beaiiiH  move  from  eaHt  to 
west  wiiile  others  from  west  to  east  are  beinj;  translated  with  tint  same  rapidity. 

No  clash  or  interferen(!e  is  observable.  These  jiulsations  soinetinitM  travel  the  entire  length 
of  the  visible  length  of  the  arch  in  less  than  two  minutes,  and  once  in  less  thiin  one  minute.  The 
liigheMt  grades  uf  auroras  seldom  occur  over  this  locality.  The  coromi  has  been  but  once  perfectly 
developed.  The  width  of  beams,  arches,  &c.,  are  variable,  as  is  also  the  length  of  the  streamers. 
The  usual  color  is  pale  straw  to  sulphur-yellow.  Other  colors  have  never  but  twice  been  observed. 
Recurring  tits  are  but  <litferences  of  intci  .ity,  and  may  be  said  to  attend  all  the  displays  excepting 
those  of  the  tlrst  class.     The  dark  segment,  when  present,  is  usually  sharply  defined. 

The  freipiencty  of  auroras  at  this  station  is  somewhat  less  than  is  assumed  for  the  latitude  of 
04  degrees  north,  and  is  probably  due  to  the  pievalcnceof  (-louds  during  the  months  of  greatest 
fre(iucney.  For  four  months,  May,  June,  July,  August,  and  a  part  of  September,  auroras  are  not 
observable  at  all  from  the  twilight.  March  and  February  show  the  greatest  number  of  disjdays, 
and  for  the  entire  year  about  thirty-two  auroras  are  recorded. 

Siimmury  o/  melrurologUal  obm-rvationn  Uiktn  at  Saint  MickatV$,  Alaika. 


T>st«. 

i 
1 

a 

<■ 

Maximum  barom- 
eter. 

r 

i 

u 

a- 

» 

\ 

\i 

i 

38 

P 

1.18 

u 

s 

5 

10 

i 
1 

I* 

1 
13 

1 

5 

0 

1 

i 
1 

•3 

i 

1 

•1 

21 

1 
s 

B 

■a 

i 

26 

s 

a 

3 
78 

1 

i 

15 

-1 
8 

i 

18 

1 

3 

1 

& 

It 

0,676 

i 

1874. 
Jnly 

2».902 

30.  '.'81 

29.  420 

.52.7 

70 

It     8S 

0 

Anxiist 

211.  MM 

30.  435 

29.375 

■>3.  0 

67 

30 

2.07 

13 

1 

8     K 

US     87 

8 

8 

48 

21 

12 

8 

1 

n,  0)15 

0 

;i<*pteiiibrr 

•Hi.  7lU 

30.  lUl 

20.  332 

42.0 

56  1 

23 

0.70 

4 

5 

14     11 

57 

70 

23 

30 

14 

7 

10 

12 

6 

0,  401 

3 

Ootobi'i' 

2U.e^U 

3U.  :ill 

20.  026 

28.4 

45 ; 

13 

2.06 

9 

2 

5 

24 

20 

74 

6 

6 

73 

15 

10 

4 

3 

11,838 

•i 

i».  77S 

30.  852 

29.085 

20.  3 

42  ' 

1 

0.78 

4 

8 

7 

16     14 

105 

11 

16 

43 

8 

4 

5 

4 

12,264 

4 

December 

1875. 
JHiiimry 

•i^t,  b\ii 

30.  58U 

29.  015 

IS.  9 

38     - 

« 

2.03 

8 

5 

11 

16       2 

146 

14 

7 

37 

» 

2 

1 

6 

14,182 

7 

3U.  029 

30.  700 

28.  876 

17.1 

36  :  - 

87 

0.28 

3 

2 

12 

17 

20 

97 

16 

7 

40 

18 

9 

S 

6 

18,  708 

2 

Februiiry 

2«.76a 

30.  264 

29.  269 

20.4 

38  ■   - 

25 

0.09 

11 

4 

11 

18 

6 

116 

27 

15 

27 

3 

0 

1 

3 

16,844 

4 

Miiruk 

2».tl54 

30.  703 

20.068 

0  6 

.30      - 

.16 

n 

7 

5 

16 

10 

32 

66 

20 

7 

21 

30 

19 

5 

9 

18,416 

10 

April 

May 

ilU.  117 

33.  Mi 

VO.  481 

12.4 

39     - 

■23 

•0.08 

2 

9 

11 

10 

26 

50 

21 

0 

32 

43 

13 

8 

9 

11,991 

8 

M.'JM 

30.  28U 

29.  277 

30.6 

42 

15 

0.31 

7 

1 

13 

17 

49 

77 

6 

0 

15 

3tl 

21 

9 

2 

13,  797 

0 

•Hi.  815 

30.380 

20.  382 

44.8 

64 

20 

0.67 

6 

0 

12 

18 

28 

76 

18 

20 

21 

27 

14 

5 

1 

13,397 

0 

Jaly 

•29.B25 

30.  312 

20.  645 

.Vl.  4 

70 

30 

1.  :s 

9 

1 

10 

20 

69 

43 

13 

9 

33 

23 

10 

8 

8 

14,  4.'(3 

0 

AuKusl   

m  717 

30.  112 

20.  301 

60.7 

64 

28 

2.21 
2.00 

14 

0 

3- 

28 

31 

21 

;»•! 

H 

44 

56 

17 

11 

8 

14,827 

0 

September 

29.  7'9 

30.  28U 

20.404 

46.  5 

M 

30 

11 

0 

7 

23 

10 

48 

I'l 

12 

24 

54 

18 

2 

8 

12,  603 

1 

20.694 
30.2tl 

30.  .'.83 
30.008 

28.  862 
20.  300 

35.4 
8.0 

54 

24     - 

17 
-17 

0.2S 
0.20 

7 

0 
7 

4 
10 

18 
12 

20 
14 

126 

•6 

; 

3 

18 
19 

4 
41 

2 

8 

1 
1 

5 
30 

16,511 
7,960 

n 

VoTember 

7 

l>eeember 

1876. 
jADUary  

2«.86C 

80.463 

20.011 

-0.7 

20      - 

32 

0.57 

'' 

9 

« 

14 

■^ 

48     10 

" 

29 

65 

8 

4 

2« 

9,668 

12 

99.814 

30.  582 

20.018 

8.9 

84      - 

28 

0.33 

5 

0 

.0 

16 

21 

4r    i'i 

10 

60 

24 

2 

0 

17 

16,208 

7 

Febrnary  

30.207 

30.089 

20.  341 

-0.3 

17      - 

40 

(*) 

1 

20 

3 

6 

38 

K      : 

2 

11 

2 

0 

1 

76 

7,156 

8 

Mfcrch 

311. 145 

30.  508 

20.  358 

7.06 

34      - 

28.  5 

(') 

7 

8 

8 

16 

67 

SJ  ,  il 

1 

19 

30 

U 

2 

38 

11,  896 

4 

^':::::::;::: 

29.  899 

30.366 

29.  335 

15.7 

41     - 

-17 

1.58 

7 

8 

0 

13 

1« 

86 

18 

9 

10 

46 

3 

4 

15 

8,477 

0 

37  4 
47.4 
62.7 
40.2 

57 
75 
68 
04 

16 

32 
39 
34 

•0.41 
1.46 
l.RI 
3.13 

8 
6 
10 
15 

0 
1 
3 
3 

11 
10 
5 
9 

20 
19 
23 
19 

44 

52 
23 
49 

60 
28 
43 
44 

14 
10 
11 
17 

87 

8 

25 

4 

30 
14 
61 
18 

17 
47 
47 
40 

4 
10 

1 
14 

9 
11 

1 
17 

3 
5 
5 

4 

is,  020 
8,779 

fl 

20.763 
30.808 
29.835 

30.  000 
30.306 
30.150 

20.  410 
20.  210 
29. 106 

0 

July 

0 

AU|{UAt 

0 

September 

•-'0.  676 

30.  285 

28.  700 

44.4 

50 

31 

3.24 

17 

0 

3 

27 

35 

30 

27 

22 

64 

22 

2 

4 

14 

7,560 

2 

29.665 
30. 145 

30.  323 
30.  632 

28.  722 
20.  495 

30.3 
6.0 

43  1 
36     - 

8 
24 

1.67 
0.33 

12 
9 

1 
12 

3 
3 

27 
15 

87 
68 

62 
■IB 

6 

4 

6 
2 

'? 

23 
40 

1 
12 

6 

20 

9 
44 

17, 112 
6,480 

2 

November 

7 

December 

1877. 
January  

29.749 

30.  404 

28.041 

.3.4 

36     - 

26 

0.10 

8 

2 

8 

21 

42 

73 

11 

4 

31 

35 

2 

0 

21 

18,  720 

1 

20.008 

30.427 

29.211 

1.6 

41     - 

39 

0.93 

10 

4 

t 

18 

33 

36 

4 

3 

62 

26 

7 

0 

44 

14,036 

2 

February  

30. 103 

30.  626 

20.  371 

-23.  8 

12     - 

50 

(*> 

4 

10 

3 

6 

58 

48 

0 

U 

8 

0 

7 

8 

42 

4,680 

11 

March 

29.880 

30.  179 

20.  200 

12.7 

88      - 

16 

0.27 

3 

12 

11 

8 

66 

73 

27 

16 

2 

1 

2 

1 

31 

6,696 

7 

April 

29.704 
'•■).5«4 

30. 145 
29.092 

29.  022 
29.  078 

28.8 
37.4 

43  :  - 
57  , 

3 
16 

0.42 
0.39 

8 
8 

6 
0 

10 

n 

16 
20 

70 
U 

73 
60 

11 
14 

12 
37 

21 
80 

12 
17 

4 

5 
9 

4 
3 

12,456 
16,368 

8 

May. ;..::..... 

0 

June 

29.821 

30.805 

29,456 

62.2 

70  1 

1 

88 

1.08 

4 

" 

17 

10 

60 

33 

15 

18 

18 

40 

» 

" 

6 

12,831 

0 

•  Snow  drifted  too  much  to  allow  accurate  meaanremeiita. 


CONTEIHUTION8  T()  TUB  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


37 


Thtrmomftrie  ohinratioiit  tukm  al  Salnl  Mtcharl'i,  Atatka. 
(ObMnrsr  unknown.    (.'apl*<l  frnm  Wllil,  Ht.  Pctvnburg,  1883,  p.  336.  | 


TtM. 

1 

1 

^ 

1 

1 

1 

i 

1 

11.3 
0.8 

i 

8.3 

7.0 

1 

1.8 

! 

-8.1 
-S.1 

1 

r 

1 
1 

IMl „ 

• 

tH4 :. 

. 

ii.i 

18.1 

uS     :.;....:.;' !!;;;!;: 

-ii,i 

-ai 

-18.8 

-B,0 

-0k7 

8.4 

Mean* 

-Ml 
-14.. 

17.6 

-13.8  ' 
7.7 

-0.0 
16.8 

-0.7 
31.5 

1 

1.4 
43.5 

_ 

13.7 
M.8 

10.4 
51.3 

7.8 
48.0 

1,1 
84.0 

-5.38 
33.8 

-188 

33.0 

-3.81 

Miant 

35.4 

*0«ltlna  thcnnomator. 


tKahrenb)'  - 


SIttrorological  obitrratloiii  at  Jiedoulil  .Saint  StIchatVi. 
iCIatsrn  barometer  No.  1613,  anil  lliormoiuctcni,  by  Janiva  Oreen,  New  York— UbHvrviT,  Captain  Kledrll,  unpeilntesdent  of  InMllnK-atatioa.) 


OaU. 

Uuur, 

1860. 
Joly      3 

4 

Oa  m 

12  ni 

3  Ij.  m 

5 

0  a.  m 

Ijni 

a  n.  m 

8 

13ni 

3  n,  m          

7 

Oa.  m 

ISm 

0  p.  ni 

8 

13  ni 

8  p.  m 

0 

0  a.  Til 

ISni 

3  n.  ni 

Op.  01 

'10 

12  in 

3p.  ni...        

0  V.  ni 

11 

0  a.  m 

ISm 

3  u.  m 

0  D.  n) 

13 

Oa.m 

12  m 

18 

Oa.ni 

12m 

3  D.  m 

" 

12  m 

3  p.  ro . . . .        , , . 

0  p.  m 

15 

0  a.  ro 

Hni    

3n.  m 

16 

0  a.  m 

13  ni 

0  p.  m 

17 

12m 

3  p.  ro . . . . 

18 

Oa.m 

I3m 

3n.  ro 

Op.m 

Att.  ther- 
ttiopmter. 


•4.6 
88.3 

84.0 
•1.8 
81.0 
61.8 
(17.5 
68.8 
61.8 
60.3 
8A.S 
87.0 
86.0 
62.0 
68.8 
85.3 
6S.3 
61.5 
62.0 
64.0 
61.3 
58.0 
67.0 
57.0 
55.8 
66.5 
63.5 
SO.  5 
58.5 
58.0 
62.  B 
00.7 
58.5 
S.'i.2 
64.2 
63.8 
62.0 
57.5 
83.6 

'Bi.'s'! 

60.0 
61.0 
61.5 
61.6 
61.8 
61.5 
61.0 
62.5 
61.8 
63.4 
62.0 
59.6 
61.2 
61.4 
61.0 
60.0 
58.8 
63.4 
63.4 
61.0 
89.0 


Darnnirter 

Baroiiirter 
rwlucetl  U> 
atanilaiil 
and  3'>>'  F. 

39.708 
.778 

39.888 
.880 
.645 
.583 

39.605 
.837 
.624 
.807 

29.668 
.655 
.653 
.656 

29.634 
.645 
.040 
.605 

26.  615 
.600 
.631 
.714 

2».825 
.821 
.895 
.84^1 

29.907 
.914 
.911 
.924 

29.  934 
.941 
.935 
.941 

20.  906 
.886 
.881 
.915 

29.891 
.887 
.883 
.919. 

21).  078 
.075 
.065 
.052 

30.029 
.038 
.059 
.104 

30. 102 
.099 
.108 
.071 

30.011 
.006 
.015 
.016 

29.894 

30.008 

29.974 
.053 

.Wind. 

Cloadi. 

DeUrhetl  ther- 
nioinet«ra. 

rMted. 

Dlreo- 
tlon. 

8K. 
B. 
N. 

N. 
N. 

N. 
BE. 

N. 
ENE. 
ESE. 

E. 

E. 

i; 

ESE. 

ESK. 
ESE. 
ESE. 

8. 

H. 
NW. 

W. 

NE. 
NNE, 

N. 
NNW. 
NW. 
NW. 
NW. 

W. 

NE. 

N. 

N. 

W. 
8W. 
8W. 
8W, 
SW, 

SE. 

Force. 

3 

3 
8 
5 
« 
4 
4 
4 
3 
4 
8 
8 
6 

I 

6 

3 
3 
3 

4 

I 
5 
5 
4 

4 
5 
S 
2 
4 
4 
3 
4 
3 
8 
3 
5 

AtuonBt 

10 
10 
4 
4 
4 
8 
e 
0 
10 
0 
0 
10 
10 

! 

10 
10 
10 
10 
8 
8 
8 
8 
8 
5 

? 

I 
0 
0 
0 
0 

? 

0 
0 
0 

Kind. 



CIr.  nlm 

Dry. 

Wet 

20.(10 

0 

84.5 
56.5 
65.0 
83.5 
82.0 
62.0 
60.0 
66.0 
84.0 
63.5 
87  0 
65.8 
66.5 
84.5 
84.0 
86.5 
88.5 
83.5 
63.5 
53.0 
53.5 
44.5 
56.5 
5.').  5 
86.0 
5«.5 
55.0 
7&0 
64.5 
40.0 
54.0 
60.5 
83.  5 
49.0 
!i:i.  5 
6.^0 
62.0 
53.0 
54.0 

e 

.873 
30.808 

.in 

CIr.  mrat 

CIr 

.::::::: 

.768 

CIr,  cum 

.608 

Cir.  atrat 

:;;;■■■■ 

30.785 



.787 

NIni 



.730 

Rain 

.718 

Nini 



30.  706 

.786 
.778 
.771 

Nlm 

Rain 

Hain 

Kali. 

Nlm 

Nlm 

Rain 

lUin 

Ralu 

Nlm 

('uin.;  Hqually 

Cum.  cir 

Nlm 

30.764 
.780 
.786 
.710 

30.730 
.730 
.744 
830 

30.038 
034 

47.0 
47.5 
47.0 
40  A 

.834 

Nlm 

.043 

Strat 

30.  035 
.034 

Cum 

47.5 
55.  0 

.018 

.080 

Cli'ar 

80.063 
.054 

Clear 

Clear  

48.8 
50  6 

.042 
.040 

Clear 

Clear 

53.5 

30.  U2« 

Ciiiii .' 

.008 

Ctim 

53  0 

29.008 

Clear ....    ' 

51.5 

30.  020 

Clear .^ 

30.012 

.008 

29.908 

SE. 
8W. 

8. 

8. 

8. 

8. 

8. 

8. 
SW. 
SW. 

8. 

8. 

a. 

8. 
8. 
8. 
8. 
E. 
8W. 

1. 
NW. 

4 
3 
6 
6 
6 
6 
5 
5 
4 
4 
6 
6 
6 
5 
5 
4 
3 
3 
3 
3 

I 

1 

0 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 

111 
lu 

10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
8 
10 
0 
0 
8 

CIr.  Rtrat 

7U.0 
52.0 
53.0 
54.0 
54.5 
51.0 
52.0 
55.0 
55.0 
53.0 
50.0 
50.5 
52.0 
50.0 
51.0 
53.0 
50.  0 
58.0 
54.5 
58.5 
67.5 
54.0 

59  5 

30.030 

30.092 
.090 

Nlm 

Nlm 

47.5 

.080 

Nim 

40  5 

.078 

Kaln 

48  0 

30.144 
.160 
.177 
.210 

30.  220 
.316 
.318 
.186 

30. 126 

.    .120 

.126 

Fon 

Rain 

Kon 

Com 

Fob  ;  rain  

Fog;  rain 

Nlm 

Fogi  rain 

Foii;  raln-nqiialU 

FoK:  raln-aqualU  

48.5 
51.0 
51.0 
40.0 
47.0 
47.5 
48.0 
47.0 
47.5 
40.0 

.124 

Cir. cnm .  ..  . 

49  0 

30. 114 
.124 

Strat 

Strat    

50.0 
51  0 

.088 
.063 

Cum.  strat. 

Cum.  strat .*. 

53.5 
50.0 

H 


III- 

i 

111; 


iir 


38 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TIIK  NATUUAL  IIISTOBY  OF  ALASKA. 

Utltoroloyical  obtfrtalioiu  at  KfdouH  Saiitl  iUioAatr* — Continued. 


DM*. 


itm. 

Auk.    Ifl 

11 


CONTHIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUHAL  F118TOUYOK  ALASKA, 

Mvl«ort>tofic»l  otMTMHoii*  at  Jlt^otiM  Saint  Micharl't    Coiitiniutl. 

Wlml.  Oloiiflii. 


39 


T 


Hour. 


la 


IS 


It 


ID 


I  81 


n 


24 


25 


2« 


27 


Dp. in 

Hn.rn 

;    I'i  III 

!  Ip.ni 

liP"  

dn.m 

I'-'ni 

3  |i.  Ill 

I)p.iv 

tii.m 

:  12  ui 

U  p.  lu  

9  p.  m 

'  0  H.  Ill 

,  lam 

I  3  p.  m .  

I  Vp.m 

I  ta.ni 

12  ni 

8  p.  m 

t  p.  m 

>*.m 

12m 

3  p.  Ill 

U  p.  m 

»  ».  ni 

!  I'.'ni     

;  a  p.  ni 

•  p.m 

I  l)».ni 

12  ni 

ap.m 

ft  p.  lu 

»».  ni 

I  12m 

I  Sp.in 

»p.m 

On.  m 

I  12m   

I  3p.  m 

9p.iu 

!  Dit.  m 

I  12  m   

3  p.  ro  

I  »p.m 

I  »».  m  

12m   

i!l  p.  ni 

I  0p.m 

;  »».m 

I  12m 

.  3  p.  m 

»  p.  ni 

t  ft.  ni 

12m 

3p.  m  

I  P  p.  lu    

Oft.  m ' 

I  13m  

I  9  p.  Ill 

I  »p.m 

I  S*.  ni  

j  I2iu 

3  p.  m  

I  »  p.  ni 

!  8  ft.  Ill I 

I  12m 

Sp.m . 

•  p.  m 


81 


Hrp        I 


28  >  9«.m. 

13  m.. 

3  p.  m . 

9  \i.  Ill 

39     9  ft.  Ill . 

r.'  m  . . 

S  p.  ni . 

9  p.m. 

8(1     9  u.  m . 

I  12  m.. 

;8p.m. 

I  9p.ra, 

9».  m. 

13m  .. 

8  p.  lu . 

9  p.  ni . 
9  ft  in . 
13  m  . 
:i  p.  ni . 
9  p.  Ill . 
Ut.  in. 
13  m    . 


Alt.  th..r.:  '"^Z"' 


81.7 

«a.8 

DO.  9 

83.9 

81.8 

84.8 

82.9 

84.0 

82.8 

84.0 

84.5 

8.\5 

82.7 

83.0 

83.3 

82.5 

84.0 

87.0 

80.0 

88.0  i 

82.3 

70.0 

87.5 

81.5 


89.0 
89.3 
88.  «i 
83.0 
60.7 
«4.0 
(16.6 
80.0 
B3.5 
81.0 
83.0 
83.5 
(14.0 
83.3 
82.7 
mi.  5 
68.7 
81.5 
04.0 
80.7 
81.7 
«2.  3 
83.  U 

«:i.7 

84  5 
84.3 
81.  •: 
80.0 
6,1.8 
84.0 
64.0 
05.0 
84.0 
83.2 
82.5 
80.8 
06.0 
64.5 
04.8 
64.2 
84.0 
59.3 

6ao 

S4.8 
83.5 
82.5 
59.0 
59  0 
.^8,(l 
no  0 

.W.  5 
59  0 
59.0 
00.2 
81.8 
80.0 
80.5 
82.0 
83.0 
83.0 
M.0 

mo 

6.V  0 
(Ul.  0 
57.0 

a.  0 


.988 

30.030 
.018 
.040 

311.  992 

29.908 
.878 
.888 
.880 

W.  8.'W 
.804 
.873 
,MKI 

31I.IH4 
.970 
.970 
.070 

30.058 
.083 
.082 
.080 

10. 079 
.070 
.037 


Utironiotw 
itMltirtMl  to 
atHltiUnl 
unil  32'  F. 


.880 

39.898 
.904 
.918 
.877 

39.783 
.7.%7 
.748 
.711 

'.■».  738 
.740 
.746 
.771 

39.  S.'6 
.H,VI 
.853 
.848 

39  938 
.934 
.ai4 
.943 

29.941 
.938 
,932 


DIroo- 
tlon. 


a. 

NW. 

NNW. 

N. 

N. 

NK. 

NK. 

N. 

K. 
SK. 
SSK. 
NK. 
KNK. 
NK. 
MR. 


Pori'A, ,  Amount. 


Kind. 


S 
8 
I 
1 

a 

7 
8 
9 

9 
9 
9 

9  , 
7   ; 

S  I 

a 

4  ' 
1  I 

3 

a 

3 
3 
5 

3 


CI,- 

t'lr.  pum 

t'li- 

i;ir     

CIr 

attftt  

NIm     

Kftln 

Knin  

Sirai.  inm        . 

St  ml.  onni 

I'lv.  »trul   

CIr.  n^Tftt 

Cum.  clr 

Cum.  i-lr 

Cum.  olr 

Cum.  pir 

I'Ir.  I'um 

Cii'.  rum 

Cir.  pniii 

Ciiiii 

Stun.  I'ir 

Strut.  plr 

Culll.Hllftt       ... 


Dolftphwt  Ihor 
ninmptoin. 


nry. 


55.5 

52.3 

88.5 

87,8 

57,9 

60.1 

63,0 

86.5 

58.5 

59,5 

83.3 

6.V0 

58.5 

58.0 

72.0 

65.5  I 

54.0 

64.0  ' 

89.0  ' 

73.0 

58.1. 

(13.  0  ■ 

75.5  ) 

7^3 


Wot. 


51.5 
48.9 
83.  I 
83.5 
5.V3 
!W,7 
50.  U 
81.3 
55.0 
54.5 
.57,0 
58,5 
55.9 
53  0 
85.0 
!UI.  5 

5ao 

!W.O 
81.0 
«,V5 
,^1  5 
55  0 
6a  3 
87,5 


29,988 
.M2 
.940 
.908  I 

29.993  I 
.900 
.994  I 
.756  i 

29.530  I 
.548 
.830 
.700 

29.873 
.934 
.910  I 
.U:J  i 

39.834  i 
.910  i 
.943  I 

.10.  064  I 

.10  350 
.351  , 
.382 
.280 

30,195 
,140 
.(KM 

30  808 

2U.  7IM 
.701. 
.796 
.85,1 

39.  eO'. 
.868 
.810 
.813 

291886 
.910 
.910 
,984 

89,978 
.978 
.9-8 
.972 

39. 1KI8 
,930 
.870 
.770 

•JU.  664 
(hM 
.,%76 

39.  ,VI6 

'.538 

..^84 

.586 

29.500 
.  503 
.508 
.KH 

30.  ,^4» 
.540 
.,M4 
.018 

30.  7.'8 
.76(1 


29.833 
.808 
.811 
,787 

39.888 
.868 
.885  I 
.846  ' 

39.403  I 
.  «u5  j 
.503  i 
.581  I 

39.760  I 
.804 
.811 
.  8(W 

30.  736 
.795 
.830 
.9.M 

30.  134 
.136 
.143 
.139 


30,  071 
,017 

K. 
KSK. 

30  95:1 

NNK. 

.7|i7 

NK. 

311  674 

N. 

.074 

N. 

.674 

N. 

.733 

sw,    ! 

39.  748 

KR, 

.749 

MK. 

.690 

.(198 

39.  7,58 

S. 

.786 

W,SW. 

.786 

wsw. 

.811 

wsw. 

39.856 

s. 

.889 

SK. 

.865 

w. 

.848 

sw. 

39.  830 

SK. 

.813 

N. 

.781 

WNW. 

.063 

WNW. 

30.  .Wl 

KNK. 

4110 

KNK.    1 

.470 

K.       1 

.4,^0 

KNK. 

■:■■'.  439 

NK. 

.117 

NK.     1 

.439 

KNK 

.4.'m 

KNK.     j 

39.389 

K.       1 

,387 

KSK. 

.390 

KSK, 

.416 

S. 

30.  417 

SSK. 

410 

asw. 

.  431 

sw. 

»'18 

sw. 

;.1l  638 

SSK.     j 

6,10 

SSK, 

1 

3 

8  : 

*  \ 

8 

8 
10 
10  I 

10    : 

.»' 

10  I 

10  I 

10 ! 
10  j 
10 
10 

1 

1 . 
10 

0 

5 

5 

8 
■  0 
10 

10 : 
11 
10 
i'l 
10 ' 

10  ' 
10 
10 
10 

8 

4 

7 
10 
10 

8 

9 
10 

9 

9 

9 

8 

9 

9 
10 

9 

9 

9 
10 
10 
10 

9 
10 

»  I 

* 
10  I 

V 

«i 

8 

9  I 


(^IIUI,  AlVIlt 

Cum.  Atmt   

Cum.  Hliftt 

StIAt.   Ililll 

Niiii.  ntlu 

NIm 

NIm 

NIni.  rftin 

Mm.  :  UkIiI  foK. 

l>iltnl,v  rain 

Nlui.  puiii 

NIm  

NIm 

Niiu.  iitrftt 

Strut,  ciim 

St  nit .  nun  

KUu'  Mill 

l-'iiip  niln    . .   

Klnt)  ruin 

KImi  ralu 


NIm 

N'm,  ulrftt 

»ir«t  

atnit 

NIm.  ralu 

atrftl  

Sinit 

Nim 

s'mt 

sum 

Strut. :  nim    tog 

Cii.  «tl»( 

Ciiiii.  I'ir 

Cum.  ulin.  oil .... 

(■iini.  nim.  cIr 

Cum.  Plr 

Cum.  nim 

Cum 

NIm  

Hint 

NIm   

Stun 
St  nil. 


nim 

Plr.  nim 

SliHt.  plr.  iiim 

Sd'iit.  nlni. 

Strut,  iitm  

Stmt 

Sinil 

NIm 

NIm 

FiiK    

NIm,  ntid 

Nliu.  piim 

Niiii.;  ralii-iiqnHUd... 

S'mt.  nim  

Strut,  uini        

Nliu 

Slral.  nim    

Cir.  Htrnt 

Cum.  mrut 

('inn.  plr 

Cum.  pir.  iilin.:  rftln 


08.7 

6&5 

78.3 

86.5 

76.0 

88.0 

62.0 

.15.8 

57.0 

510 

58.0 

510 

58.0 

52.8 

57.0 

52.6 

.W.5 

50.0 

54.8 

.-)  0 

58,3 

-.  0 

5.10 

4k.  s 

53,5 

M.« 

54.8 

5(V8 

56.0 

.VI  5 

52.8 

49.3 

53.0 

49.9 

5.\0 

60.3 

58.8 

53.0 

53.0 

48  5 

4a  0 

46  3 

,14.3 

50.0 

,18.5 

5.\0 

M.0 

51.  0 

54.3 

49.3 

57.5 

51.5 

.19.0 

.M.0 

57.5 

53.0 

57.5 

54.0 

58.5 

54.5 

01.  0 

.'AO 

.12.0 

47.6 

51.8 

4(12 

.18.8 

49.0 

54.8 

51.0 

53.0 

47.8 

5iV.O 

50,0 

58.0 

52.5 

,18,6 

,13.9 

53,0 

47,2 

.54.0 

49.0 

5(\0 

,1.1,0 

57.0 

51.0 

5.1.0 

4a  0 

5,1.5 

49,5 

58.3 

51,8 

67.2 

.12.  8 

M.0 

49.5 

53,0 

49.0 

68,8 

51.0 

58.5 

.10.6 

52.6 

49  0 

54.0 

,10.8 

57.0 

53,6 

57.0 

M.0 

58.0 

52.0 

56.7 

51.  U 

58,0 

MO 

51.0 

50.6 

SS.S 

88.0 

»8,"6 

48.0 

50,0 

4.V2 

53.0 

48.0 

a.o 

46.6 

i 


!R 


,   3"! 


40 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


Meleorologieal  obienaiions  at  Redoubt  Saint  MiohaeVi—ContinueA. 


I 


D«to. 

Hour. 

Att.  tbor- 
mumeter. 

Barometer 
uncor- 
rected. 

Barometer 
reduced  to 
standard 
and  32°  F. 

Wind 

Cloudi). 

Detached  ther- 
mometers. 

Direc- 
tion. 

Force, 

Amount, 

Kind. 

Dry. 

Wet, 

1869. 
Sept.     2 

3p.lD 

0 

69.2 
CO.O 
57  6 

y.o 

fil.2 
o5.0 
57.0 
J8.0 
69.6 

5a8 

«0.0 
59  5 
61.5 

.818 
.828 

29.900 
.8.54 
.758 
.524 

29.336 
.348 
.402 
.604 

29.726 
.766 
.766 

.709 
.717 

20.  705 
.753 
.657 
.  528 

a.  233 
.242 
.292 
.496 

29.  616 
.857 
.652 

S. 

SB. 

K8E. 

ENE. 

JCNK. 

15  NE. 
NE.byE. 
NE.bvB. 

ESE. 
SE. 

ESE. 

ESE. 

SW. 

2 

2 

10 
9 
4 
6 
8 
10 
10 
10 

Gum.  oir.;  rain>Bqnalls 

0 

62.0 
61.0 
60.0 
66.8 
66,8 
32.5 
63.5 
65.0 
54.0 
51.0 
62.6 
56.2 
55.0 

o 

47.5 
47,0 

3 

9  A.  M... 

46,0 

12.n 

Cuni.cir . 

60.0 
48.8 

p 

iip.in 

9  n.  In , 

Cum.nim.!  rain 

NiDi.tftnfl  raiii 

47.0 
49,0 

12  m 

Scotch  mist        .    ...... 

50  6 

10 
10 

sao 

46  0 

5 

7 

4 
6 

47.0 

12m 

Cir.  Htrftl .... 

49  0 

49,5 

7 

60.3 
61.6 
69.8 

29.702 
.956 
.868 

•'"  680 
.841 
.857 

SW. 
SW. 
W. 

8 
9 

49.3 
50.2 
62,0 

44,0 

12  in  

Cum.  cir, 

46,3 

4 

4&5 

8 

3  A.  in 

::":::;::i:::::::: 

i 

12m 

60.0 
68.5 
68.5 
67.5 
56.0 
57.0 
59.5 
00.0 
56.0 
57.0 
63.0 
61.5 
58.6 
68.0 
58.0 
67.0 
67.5 
68.0 
60.6 
58.0 
68.5 
58.0 
59.6 
57.6 
57.5 
56.5 
61.5 
52.7 
62.3 
64.0 
53.2 
52.0 
51.7 
52.0 
54.8 
56.3 
56.2 
68.0 
61.2 
59.0 
69.0 
68.0 

29.800 
.758 
.820 

29.754 
.700 
.690 
.688 

29.704 
.712 
.728 
.726 

21'.  692 
.090 
.600 
.662 

29.684 
.604 
.516 
.600 

29.  776 
.772 
.834 
.870 

28.638 
.604 
.516 
.000 

29.776 
.772 

29.834 
.870 

30.  070 
.074 
.080 
.076 

29.962 
.966 
.966 
.966 

30.062 
.070 
.074 

29.789 
.651 
.7'3 

29.  651 
.600 
..■■,88 
.  .579 

29.  .594 
.612 
.620 
.008 

29.  578 
.584 
.585 
..567 

29.582 
.501 
.411 
.289 

29.889 
.065 
.728 
.760 

20.635 
.501 
.415 
.486 

29.B85 
.682 

28.738 
.777 

28,  980 
.885 
.880 
.078 

29.863 
.865 
.860 
.861 

29.958 
.961 
.868 

HE. 

NE. 

NE. 

NE.  by  E. 

NE.byE. 

I'NE., 

SI':. 

SE. 
ESE. 

ESK. 

rsE. 

ENE. 
NNE. 

N. 

N. 
NNW. 

N. 



2 
3 
4 

4 
5 
S 

4 
2 

4 
3 
4 
1 
4 
4 
5 
5 
4 
0 
0 

\ 

\ 
1 
4 
2 
2 
6 
5 
3 
5 
4 
1 
3 
4  or  5 
3 
3 
3 
2 
S 
t* 

4  or   i 

6 

4 

4 



\ 
10 
8 
7 
9 

Cir.  cum 

545 
55.0 
48.0 
49.0 
56.0 
48.0 
51.  Ii 
.52.2 
63.0 
54.0 
52.5 
.51.5 
58.5 
56.5 
51.5 
64.0 
66.0 
.55.0 
50.0 
50.0 
61.0 
50.3 
4a  6 
50.3 
60.3 
58.0 
62.0 
49.0 
60.0 

4a  6 

44.0 
46.6 
47.0 
47.7 
46.2 

4a  3 

50.  C 
60.0 
48.0 
50.0 
52,6 
52.0 

48.  0 

Cir.ctim .-.. 

Cir,  cum 

48  0 

9p,  m 

42.  C 

9 

9  It,  m 

Clear  skv 

43,0 

12  m 

4a  0 

10 

3p.m 

9p.m 

98.m 

12iu 

Cuui.  cir 

Cum.nim.;  rain    

Stratcir         

4a  0 

46.9 

47  5 

48.0 

47.0 

11 

%\,  lu 

0 

\ 
7 
0 
7 
fl 
7 

48.0 

12m 

53.  U 

50.5 

fin.  m 

4' 

12 

49.0 

12m 

Cum.  cir 

Cum,  cir 

49.5 
49.5 

9  n,  ni 

45.5 

13 

«a.m 

12m 

SE. 

"sw." 

NE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 

N. 

N. 
NW. 

8. 
SSE. 
SW. 

s. 
s. 

SSE. 
SSW. 

ssw. 

SSW. 

s. 

NNE. 
NNE. 

10 
9 
9 
3 

4 

46.0 

Cum.nim 

Cum.nim 

46.5 

44.7 

fin.  m 

43.5 

Clear  sky 

Clear  flky 

45.5 

12  Dl 

63.5 

62.0 

9  p.  m 

>a.m  .     

12m 

5 

8 

4a  3 

16 

43.6 

6 
9 
9 

Nim.  cum.  cir 

46.0 

42.0 

9p.m 

39,0 

19 

9».  m 

9 

Nim                  

42.0 

I2ro 

10 
10 
10 
0 
7 
0 
4 
8 
4 
1 

Nim 

43.0 

3p.  m 

Nim 

43.6 

Nim 

.  42.0 

17 

9  a.  m 

12m 

44.2 

45.0 

8  n,  m  

46.0 

43.0 

18 

9  a.  m 

Cum.  nim 

45.0 

12m 

3  n,  in 

47.0 

Cir       

4a  0 

It 

9a,  m 

67.6 
57.0 
68.5 
B0.0 
69.0 
58.0 
67.0 
69.0 
57.6 
68.0 
61.6 
56.6 
54.8 
55.3 
58.3 
56.5 
53.3 
53.7 
55.6 
57.3 
63.3 
62.7 
61.5 

62.6 
60.0 
60.0 
62.0 

i9.982 
.990 

3C.004 
.004 

29.060 
.900 
.892 
.881. 

29.822 
.814 
.808 
.808 
.  29.  860 
.884 
.8)8 

.on 

29.860 
.084 
.866 
.068 

29.906 
.880 
.763 

.634 

28.  .526 

.624 

.520 



29.879 
.887 
.897 
.883 

29.851 
.794. 
.788 
.777 

29.717 
.708 
.604 
.706 

20.  762 
.785 
.786 
.816 

29.806 
.868 
.803 
.863 

29.786 
.741 
.638 

.516 

:■!.  416 

.413 

.408 

ENE. 

E. 

4 
3 
0 
2 
3 
4 
B 
5 

\ 

4 
1 
1 
2 
1 
3 
4 
8 
4 
8 
8 
3 
2 

1 
2 
3 

»l 


4 

7 
9 

'S 

9 
8 
2 
8 
7 
9 
7 
7 
6 
7 
6 
9 
5 
6 
7 
7 
6 
7 

8 
0 

'1 

Cir.  Btrat 

Strat.  nim 

4a  0 
52.0 
63.0 
60.0 
60.5 
58.5 
63,5 
49.8 
49.7 
82.3 
62.0 
60.6 
SI.O 
',.5 
54.0 
49.7 
47.6 
52.6 
51.3 
4&0 
61.0 
62.0 
62,0 

4a  0 
60.0 
34.0 
M.5 


42.0 

12m 

46.0 

■"  „   m 

47.0 

SE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 
NE. 

N. 

N. 

N. 
SE. 

8. 

8. 

8. 
SE. 

S. 

N. 

NNW. 

NE. 

NE. 

NNE. 



44.0 

20 
21 

40.0 

12  in 

^trat        

47.5 

Strat.  cir 

Cir 

Cum.  cir 

Cum. cir... 

4a  6 

9  n,  m 

46.0 

43.3 

ISm 

47.5 

«p.m... 

9  p.  m 

46.5 

4a  0 

Strat,  nim 

Strat.  nim 

Nim                  

46.7 

12  m  

4a  7 

4a  0 

Nim     

45.5 

23 

Strat.  oir 

Strat.  <<ir 

Cir.  Htrat          

43.5 

12  m 

4a  3 

4a  4 

t'lr 

Cir         

42.5 

34 

9  A.  m 

4a  0 

13in 

Cum.  dr 

Cum.     cir.;     light  baffling 
wind. 

Cum.nim.;  rain-mnullii 

Clear  nky 

t;iear  «ky 

4U.5 

47.0 

43.0 

35 

»a.m 

12m 

JP-" 

lp.m 

45.0 
48,0 
44,6 

CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


41 


Meteorological  ohaeivationa  at  liedoubl  Saint  Michael's, 


Dkte. 


Sept.    26 


Hour. 


Alt.  thonii. 


1613.    I    1600. 


I 


»  B.  Ill 60.  0 

10..^  II.  Ill .W.5  ' 

11.5  «  III I  ."iT.O 

12.1  p.  Ill  MO 

1.5p.  Ill I  .MS  ! 

2  ji.  Ill I  ^r\5  I 

3  p.  Ill I  ba.a  I 

4  |t.  Ill j  M.  5  j 


50.5 
5K.5 
5.-1.  6 
54.2 
50.  6 
.17.0 
M.5 


RcinliliK  of   Ki-iulilig  of  j 
barouieler  ,  linroiiu^ttir 
No.  1018.    I   Nu.  1609. 


W    (1. 


Direc- 
tion. 


Foixo. 


Strut.  I'll- 
Stmt,  fir  . 
Strut,  cir  . 
Stmt,  cir  . 
Sirat.  cir  . 
Strat.  cir  . 
Cir.  Htrat . 
Cir.  strut . 


Mfliorological  olmmations  ai  I'orl  Yukon,  Alaska, 


[CiK*«rn  barometer  No.  1609,  and  tliorinometiirs,  i>y  ffuinoa  Groeji,  Now  Yorlt — Obaervora,  Mr.  J.  J.  Mi^or  aud  Private  Mioliael  Foley,  ITulted 

States  Army. I 


Date. 


1869. 
AUR.      3 


A  lie.     10 

Aliu.     II 
AllL'.    12 


A  lift.    13 


AllK.     14 


h.  III. 

0  00  n.  in  . 
X  00  p.  m  . 
G  00  p.  m  . 
10  00  a.  ni  . 

2  00  p.  Ill . 
7  00  p.  m 

10  00  a.  m  . 
12  00m  ... 

3  00  p.  m  . 

4  00  p.  m 
0  00  p  111  . 
a  00  a. in  . 

1 1  00  n.  ni  . 
3  30  p.  in  . 

6  45  a.  Ill  . 

7  00  II.  Ill  . 

7  30  ;t.  in  . 

8  (10  a.  ni  . 
8  30  a.  lU  . 
0  00  a.  Ill  . 

12  00  ni.... 

2  (III  p.  ni  . 

3  00  p.  Ill 

4  00  p.  m 

5  Oil  p.  in 
0  00  p.  Ill  . 

7  110  p  111 
»  00  a.  Ill  . 

10  00  n.  ni  . 

11  on  a.  Ill 

3  00  p.  Ill  . 

4  00  p.  Ill  . 

8  00  p.  Ill  . 
8  00  a.  Ill  . 
U  30  a.  Ill 

II  00  a.  ni 

11  00  a.  Ill  . 

12  00m  ... 
3  00  p.  ni  . 

6  00  p.  m  . 
D  00  a.  Ill  . 

1 1  no  a.  Ill 

12  00  Ml.... 
'  00  p.  Ill  . 

2  00  p.  Ill . 

3  00  p.  ni  . 

4  00  p.  Ill 

4  1.1  p.  ni  . 
6  00  p.  ill  . 

6  00  p.  Ill  . 

7  (10  p.  Ill 

5  no  ji.  Ill  . 
B  30  p.  m  . 

0  3(1  n.ni  . 
10  0(1  a.  ni 

'  1 1  (10  a.  ni  . 

13  (Mini     .. 

1  (III  p.  ni 

2  on  p.  Ill 

3  00  |i  111 

4  00  p.  Ill 

8.  Mis.  1 


TIIKIIHOMKTEKH. 


Wind. 


Cloiida. 


TTiiUi-  cover.  \       Open  air. 


:  Bnronu'tcr 
lllicor- 
rectid. 


Alt.    i    Dot.    :    Dry.       Wet.    | 


62.0  I      05.0 

0.1.0  I    eas 

04.0  I       08.0 

GO.  0  '       03.  0 

60.0  ;       63.0 

0(1.0  :       63.0 

60.  0  '       63. 0 

.19.0  '       01. 0 

03.  0  i  07.  0 
72.0  I  07.6 
e-2.  0  :  67.  0 
5!!.  0  02.  0 
GO.  0  '       64.0 

-«4.  0  !       (>9.  a 

.17.  5  60.  S 

57.  5  00.  5 

50.0  02.0 

59.  3  02.  5  1 
.10.  O'  02.  0  I 
.19.  0  02.  0 
00.  0  03.  0 
U4.  5  68.  0 

04.  0  67.  5  I 

03,  0  07.  0  1 
08.  0  07. 0  ! 

66.  0  6T.  0 
04.0  ,  (17.0 
.18.0  ;       61.0 

01.0  65.0 

«:■;.  0  00. 0 

67.1  73.0 
72.  .1  73. 0 

60.  0  >  71.  0 
.18.0  62.0 
00.  5  64.  0 
6(1.  0  64.  0 
0(/.  0  04.  0 
01.0  I      O.'i.  0 

04.  0  70.  0 
0.1.0  73.0 
00.  0  03.  0 
01.0  65.5 
62.  II  67.  0 
04.  0  01).  0 
65.0  71.0 
65.  0  72. 0 

67.  0  ;      74. 0 
07,  a  75. 0 
67.0  ;       74.0 
67.0  74.0 
80.  0  :      72.  0 
b."..  0  '       70.  0 
6.1.0  67.0 
Oi.  0  85.  5 
62.  0  05.  6 
0-.  0  0.1.  0 
(14.0  68.0  j 
0.1.0  71.0  ' 
(  ".  0  73.  5  ( 
07.  0  73.  5  I 
67.5  '       76.0 


Jlnronii'ttT 
I'ciluc.'d  1(1 
atanilard 
and  32"  K. 

1 


Dirin- 
tion. 


Force.  ;  Amount. 


Kind. 


20.011 

28.  910 
.  862 

s 

8 
8 

28.  971 

Nim. 

.003 

.  8.17 

SK. 

1 

7 

Nim.  ;  rain  at  intorvalH. 

20. 020 

28.  024 

NNV. 

2 

8 

Nim. 

.024 

.928 

N\V. 

2 

8 

Nim. 

2&996 

.  000 

NW. 

2 

8 

Nim. 

20.004 

28,  008 

NW. 

2 

8 

'  Nim. 

.064 

,971 

W. 

1 

0 

('inn.  iiiii). 

.077 

,074 

■\v. 

1 

4 

Ciim.  nim. 

.089 

.902 

w. 

1 

4 

Cum. 

.074 

.973 



0 

3 

Cum.  Btrat. 

20.165 

29.  0«2 

0 

7.B 

.166 

.070 

0 

5 

Cum.  Rtnit. 

.181 

.075 

0 

5 

29.  332 

29.  259 

NW. 

2 

7 

Cum.  nim.  Hdat. 

.333 

.213 

NW. 

7 

Cum.  niin.  .strat. 

.340 

.  2. 

NW. 

7 

Cum.  him.  Almt. 

.341 

.245 

W. 

1 

6 

Cum.  Hlrat. 

.3,13 

,250 

W. 

5 

Cum.  HtiiU. 

.353 

.  2.10 

W. 

5 

Cum.  Hti'ut. 

.326 

.229 

E. 

5 

Cir.  ciirii. 

.312 

.2113 

sw. 

3 

(Mr.  rum. 

.300 

.192 

4 

(Mr.  cum. 

.274 

.104 

u 

i 

(Mr.  »-inu. 

.216 

.0118 

0 

4 

.260 

.  1,13 

0 

4 

CIt.  ciini. 

.2.14 

.140 

0 

4 

(Mr.  inm. 

29. 3.19 

20.  -^47 

s. 

1 

3 

Unht  Hcfcv  rloudn. 

21-.  .10 1 

29  4(11 

sw. 

1 

5 

(Mr.  nrrat. 

.501 

.  :iou 

sw. 

4 

(Mr.  atrat. 

.  40.1 

.378 

NK. 

1 

4 

(Mr.  Mtrat. 

.404 

.  3(14 

NK. 

1 

3 

Cir.  Ntrat. 

.488 

.  :i75 

0 

2 

(Mr.  Mtrat. 

29.  ,110 

29  418 

N. 

1 

1 

(Mr.  Ktial.;  lijilit  and  tloi-cy 

..■.14 

.4111 

N. 

2 

1 

(Mr.  Mirat.:  lijilit  and  tleccy 

2(1.  .'i.lO 

2!l.  4.13 

N. 

2 

.1 

(Mr.  stmt. 

20,673 

211,418 

0 

1 

.664 

,404 

W. 

1 

0 

.663 

.455 

w. 

1 

3 

(Mim. 

.630 

.120 

w. 

1 

3 

20. '  56 

29.  4.10 

w. 

1 

3 

Cum. 

.  4.12 

0 

1 

Cum. 

Oil 

.449 

s. 

1 

1 

Cum. 

.646 

.4;w 

S 

1 

1 

(Mini                                     ' 

.636 

.  120 

s. 

1 

(Mim 

.636 

.  tJO 

s. 

1 

I 

(Mim. 

.536 

.4'Jl 

s. 

1 

1 

.6;r2 

.417 

s. 

1 

1 

(Mini. 

.524 

.400 

s. 

1 

1 

(Mini. 

.626 

.411 

s. 

1 

1 

(Mim. 

.636 

.  4'j:i 

s. 

1 

1 

.526 

.410 

s. 

1 

1 

(Mini. 

.  .126 

.421 

s. 

1 

1 

29.  :m 

29.  440 

0 

(1 

.  .114 

.442 

0 

II 

.634 

.432 

0 

0 

.534 

.426 



(1 

II 

.634 

.424 

sw.    i 

] 

1 

.542 

.427 

sw. 

1 

! 

Cum. 

.540 

.  425 

0 

0 

.638 

.421 

0 

0 

CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUKAL  UISTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


Mflvorological  obiirvationH  at  l''oil  Yukon — C'niiliiiiiL'd. 


TIIRIIMOHRTRKD. 


Wtnil. 


CIniidii 


Uutu 


Anir.    14 


Aag.    IS 


Ahu.    10 


Aug.    17 


Aug.    18 


kuH.     10 


All);.    30 


.\iijl. 


mM 


Tiiiio. 

ITDdor 

cover.- 

Op^ii  air. 

iiiiciir. 
reeled. 

riMliu-eil  lo 
alanilanl 
nud  32"  F. 

Dine- 
tliin. 

'■'iilee. 

Att. 

Det 

Dry. 

Wet. 

A.  irt. 

o 

0 

■> 

0 

; 

fi  00  |i.  m  ... 

6  00  )).  m  . . 

7  00  p.  in  . . 

69.0 
68.0 
66.0 

75,0 
75.0 
72.0 

.586 
,534 
.526 

,416 
,410 
.413 

0 

(I 



0 

8  00  p.  m  . . 
0  ilO  p.  ni  . . . 

66.0 

ns.0 

70.0 
70.0 

.636 
,616 

.428 
,408 

■■"sw.' 

0 

0  30  «.  m    . . 

62.5 

66.0 

20.  603 

20.490 

w. 

10  30  a. m  ... 

64.0 
64.0 

67.0 
67.0 

.064 
.662 

.558 
.,554 

w. 
\v. 

11  00ii.ni    .. 

•70,  0 

■,5lV7 

I'J  4.'>  p. m  ... 

riS.O 

71.0 

7<).0 

63,0 

.664 

.5,54 

\v. 

2  (Ki  p.  ni  . . 

60.0 

73.0 

84.0 

62.5 

.605 

,492 

w. 

3  00  p.  ni  . . . 

68.0 

75.0 

,S2.  6 

64.0 

.586 

.408 

w. 

4  00  p.  ni  ... 

oao 

76.0 

82.  0 

62.5 

.584 

.488 

w. 

5  on  p.  Ill  ... 

68.0 

76.0 

81.5 

62.  5 

.576 

.4,58 

w. 

fl  00  p.  Ill  . . . 

68.  0 

7.'!.0 

81.6 

63.5 

.  .576 

.458 

w. 

7  00  p.  m  . . . 

U7.0 

72.  5 

72.  n 

.511  0 

,570 

.401 

w. 

8  00  p.  ni    . . 

67.0 

71.0 

60.5 

,57,  3 

.578 

.401 

w. 

»  00  n.  ni  . . 

fll.O 

64.4 

50.8 

55,0 

29,664 

2'J.  .W 

w. 

10  0('  a.  ni    . . 

H3.0 

66,4 

67.8 

59,2 

.664 

.5,59 

SK. 

11  00  a.  11-  ... 

64.0 

66.4 

71.1 

61,4 

,006 

.498 

IJK. 

12  00  lu  

65.0 

70.0 

71,6 

62.0 

,554 

.444 

E. 

1  00  p.  ni  . . . 

66.0 

71.0 

78.0 

60.7 

54<' 

.433 

E, 

'-'  00  p.  ni  . . . 

m.i 

';i.o 

80.7 

62,  5 

.    ^1. 

.482 

E, 

3  00  ]),  in  . . . 

07.5 

73.0 

82.6 

64.0 

>i 

149 

E, 

4  00  p.  in  ... 

«».0 

7.5.0 

86  6 

00.  2 

..' 

436 

E. 

B  00  p.  Ill  . . . 

69.4 

70.0 

81.5 

64.5 

!6r. 

134 

E. 

C  00  p.  Ill  . . . 

OH.O 

76.0 

70.5 

02.  4 

..516 

425 

K, 

7  00  |i.  Ill  . . . 

07.  3 

72.  n 

65.2 

01.7 

.,554 

138 

UK 

8  (Kip.  HI  ... 

04.0 

00.  0 

01.4 

,54.7 

.  ,5.56 

.448 

.SK. 

»  00  p.  Ill  . . . 

64.0 

01).  0 

no.  7 

65.4 

.646 

,425 

E. 

10  00  a.  Ill  . . . 

61.0 

04.0 

71.8 

63,0 

20.  556 

29,  4,56 

K. 

11  00  a.  Ill    .. 

03.0 

07.0 

71.8 

00,4 

.354 

,419 

E. 

12  00  in  

6.5.0 

00.0 

71.6 

02.2 

,552 

.442 

E. 

1  00  p,  III  . . . 

07.0 

73.0 

78.0 

02.  5 

,546 

,431 

K. 

2  00  p.  Ill  ... 

67.0 

73,0 

82.6 

65.4 

.  514 

.420 

E. 

3  00  p.  ni  . . . 

68.0 

7,'-..  0 

81.5 

0.3.2 

.  534 

.416 

E. 

4  00  p.  m  ... 

73.0 

70.0 

84.7 

05.0 

.  536 

.409 

E. 

fl  00  p.  Ill  . . . 

87.0 

76.0 

88.0 

06.2 

.,544 

.376 

E. 

6  00  p.  ra  . . . 

84.0 

77.0 

82.3 

6.>.  5 

,  ,536 

.376 

K. 

7  00  p.  in  ... 

7,3.0 

77.0 

71.5 

03.4 

.518 

.386 

SW, 

8  00  p,  ni  . . . 

ee.o 

71.0 

64.5 

01.6 

.446 

.333 

SW. 

10  00  p.  in  . . . 

65.0 

69.0 

50. 0 

63.4 

.446 

.336 

SW. 

9  00  a.  Ill    . . 

61.0 

65.0 

02.  r> 

51.4 

29.  466 

20.458 

E. 

10  30  a.  in  ... 

63.0 

07.0 

73.0 

60.  5 

,,566 

.461 

E. 

11  O0a.ni  ... 

114.  0 

67.0 

71  2 

62.0 

.  .574 

.466 

E. 

12    oil  ,; 

6.-1.  0 

70.0 

70.  5 

61.2 

.  ,576 

.406 

E. 

1  00  p.  in  . . 

00.0 

72  0 

78.11 

03.  0 

.  .574 

.401 

K. 

"  (jO  jl.  lu  . . . 

(18.  0 

74.0 

82.  r, 

03.  0 

.570 

.  4.58 

E. 

3  00  p.  Ill     . . 

70.0 

7.^11 

82.  0 

02.5 

.504 

.441 

E. 

4  Oil  p.  Ill  . . 

ir..  4 

00  0 

8.5.  0 

04.7 

.,504 

.453 

E. 

!•  00  p.  1,1     . 

70.0 

70.0 

87.0 

05  n 

.5r.4 

.431 

K. 

C  00  p.  in     . . 

«».  0 

74.  0 

7.-I.  4 

02.  5 

.,5tM 

.443 

SW. 

7  00  p.  ni  . . . 

08.  0 

73.0 

70.6 

01.0 

29.  546 

29.  428 

SW. 

8  00],.  ni  ... 

07.0 

72.  0 

Oj.5 

.51).  5 

.  .540 

.431 

N. 

»  00  p.  11,  .  . . 

80.0 

71.0 

01.7 

.511.  0 

.  544 

.431 

N. 

8  00  ,1.  Ill  .  . . 

Ml.  0 

02.  0 

57.0 

.53.  0 

29.414 

29,  320 

E. 

!>  110  a.  Ill    . 

61.0 

04.0 

04.0 

.55.  0 

.340 

.  240 

.\. 

10  30  a.  in    . 

04.0 

07.  n 

71.3 

60.0 

.324 

.  210 

E. 

11  00  am  . 

04.  0 

08.  n 

71.5 

.58.  5 

.314 

.200 

E, 

12  00  i„    ... 

0,VO 

08.0 

70.0 

62  7 

.;i40 

.  230 

SW. 

1  00  p.  in  . . . 

611.0 

01).  0 

72.  2 

00.5 

.344 

.231 

s. 

2  00  p.  in    . 

«7.0 

70.0 

71.5 

60.4 

.326 

.223 

s. 

3  00  p.  Ill  . . . 

60.0 

09.0 

Oil.  0 

03.  0 

.326 

.211 

SW. 

4  00  )i.  Ill  . 

67.0 

70.0 

07.5 

58.5 

.  .324 

.  200 

SW. 

5  00  ]i.  in  . . . 

07.0 

0(1.  0 

05.0 

5,5.  5 

.328 

.211 

SW. 

6  on  p.  in    . 

O.i.  0 

08.0 

63.0 

.'^.O 

324 

.21-! 

SW. 

7  00  p.  ni  . . . 

64.0 

07.0 

.■>8.  0 

,54.  2 

.  355 

.247 

SW. 

8  00)1.  n,    .. 

(i3.  0 

05.  n 

57.  5 

5.3.0 

.  3,5;i 

.248 

SW. 

8  00  u.  11,  .  . . 

50.0 

01.0 

.54.0 

40.  5 

20.415 

20.321 

SW. 

II  00  n.  ,11  . . 

60.0 

02.  0 

M.  2 

51.3 

.414 

.317 

SW, 

10  00,1.  ni  .. 

01.0 

03.  U 

57.  0 

52.  0 

.  425 

.  325 

SW, 

11  00  a.  ni  . . . 

6S.0 

113.  0 

58.5 

51.  2 

.410 

.306 

SW. 

12  00  ni    .... 

66.6 

00.0 

02.0 

.52.  3 

.42,5 

.311 

SW. 

1  00  p.  Ill  . . 

67.0 

OH.  0 

00.0 

.52.0 

,425 

.310 

SW. 

2  00  p.  Ill  .    . 

62.0 

on.  0 

02.0 

53.5 

,423 

.321 

SW. 

3 

3  00  ]i.  Ill  .  . . 

08.0 

67.  u 

61.0 

52.  0 

,  425 

.307 

SW. 

3 

4  to  p.  11,  . . 

03.0 

01).  0 

03.  0 

5;i,  5 

,425 

,320 

SW.     , 

3 

.'>  00  p.  Ill 

04.0 

07.0 

.5!).  5 

51.5 

.438 

,328 

SW. 

3 

0  00  Jl.  Ill  . . . 

611.0 

60.  0 

03.  5 

,53.  5 

.  425 

,304 

SW. 

2 

7  00  p.  Ill  . . 

02.0 

o.-,.  0 

5.5.  4 

.51,.  2 

.447 

,345 

SW. 

2 

8  no  p.  11,  . . . 

82.0 

0.-,.  0 

,54.0 

41).  2 

.  4.58 

.366 

SW. 

"2 

il  00  a  1,1  .. . 

.5K.0 

01.11 

,56.  6 

52.  0 

2!).  475 

29, 388 

SW. 

•t 

10  On  a  111     . 

GO.  0 

02.  n 

58.  7 

52.  5 

.176 

,379 

SW. 

■_, 

1 1  00  a.  Ill    . 

01.0 

03.  0 

.58.  0 

51.7 

.4,50 

,  3.50 

SW. 

:1 

12  00  ni   .... 

01.0 

03.  n 

.50.  7 

,53.  5 

.  4115 

.395 

SW. 

1 

1  00  p.  Ill  .  . . 

Ul.n 

o:i.  0 

01.5 

54.  5 

.440 

.346 

SW. 

1 

2  00  p.  Ill     . . 

02.  n 

05.  II 

01.4 

,5.1.  0 

487 

.386 

SW. 

,j 

3  on  p.  jii    . . 
3  30  p.^ii 

03.0 

0.1.  n 

07.  0 

52.  0 

.486 

..181 

SW. 

1 

06.0 

07.  n 

«4.7 

.54.  5 

.436 

.322 

SW. 

•J 

4  00  p.  ni     . . 

72.0 

07.  n 

02.  5 

.57.  4 

.497 

.3m 

SW. 

,j 

7  00  p  in     . 

04.0 

07.0 

50.  5 

62.6 

.486 

.377 

SW. 

2 

8  00  p.  m  . . . 

0«.0 

on,  0 

,50.  0  1 

51.1 

.4,36 

.323 

SW, 

1 

AiiHMint. 


Ktiiil. 


0 

0 

n 

0 

1 

1*11111.  ;  li^^lit  and  fleeev. 

1 

(Mr.  Hiral. 

1 

(Mr.  Htriit. 

1 

(Jir.Hiiat. 

1 

(Mr.  alral. 

1 

(Mr.  airiU. 

1 

(Mr  Hlrne. 

1 

(Mr.  all-Ill. 

1 

(Ml .  «lral. 

1 

(Mr  strnt. 

1 

(Jir  atrai. 

1 

Mr.  a'uil. 

5 

Cum. 

3 

Cr.lii.  cir.  atrat. 

2 

tMr.  8  rat. 

2 

(.Mr.  8-  rat 

1 

(Mr.  a  Tat. 

2 

fMr.  Huat. 

Oil-,  alrat. 

(Mr.  nil  at. 

2 

(Jir.  Kinit. 

3 

I.lL'lit  111  i-e.\  1  IiiimU. 

6 

(Mini.  (-ir.  Nir.it, 

5 

Cum. 

& 

(Jiini. 

1 

Cir.  atrat. 

1 

Clr.  atl-al. 

1 

Cir.  Htrat. 

1 

(Ml-,  strut. 

'2 

Cum.  i-ir.  atrat. 

2 

Cum,  i-ir.  atrat. 

3 

Cum.  iMi.  atrat. 

2 

(.Mr.  sti-at. 

2 

(Mr.  atrat. 

1 

(Jlr.  atrat. 

2 

Cir.  atrat. 

1 

(Mr.  atrat. 

2 

(Mr.  atrat. 

I 

Cir.  atrat. 

1 

(Mr.  atrat. 

2 

(Ml.  alrat. 

1 

(if.  atrat. 

2 

I.i'.-lil  Hi-iTV  iliiuda. 

3 

Cum. 

3 

(Mini, 

4 

Cum. 

« 

(Mini. 

i 

(;  i,i». 

■* 

(Mini.  I-ir.  at  rut. 

4 

(Mini,  eir  atrat. 

2 

(Mini.  eir.  at  nit. 

4 

Clltii.oir.  atrat. 

5 

(Mini.  oir.  atrat. 

5 

(Mini.  cir.  atrat. 

6 

Ciini. 

5 

(Mini. i-ir.  Ntiat, 

7 

(Mini.  I-ir.  atrat. 

V 

(Mini.  t-ir.  atiiit. 

7 

(Mini. 

7 

(Mini. 

7 

(Mr.  atrat.:  litllo  rain. 

7 

(Mr.  htrat.;  liille  rain. 

(Mr.  atnit  :  little  niiii. 

4 

(Miiii  i-ii.  atrat. 

4 

(Mini.  I-ir.  atrat. 

4 

(Mini.  I-ir.  Htiat, 

5 

(Mini.  I-ir.  atrat. 

5 

(Mini.  eir.  atrat. 

7 

(Mini.  civ.  atrat. 

7 

(Mini.  I'll,  atriit. 

7 

(Mini.  eir.  atrat. 

7 

(Mini,  i-.ir.  atrat. 

7 

(Mini.  i-ir.  atl-ilt. 

7 

(Mini.  I-ir.  Btnil, 

7 

vMiin.  ,-ir.  atiat. 

7 

(  nni.i-li.  atial. 

7 

(Mini.  eir.  atrat. 

7 

C-ini.  eir  ali-,,1. 

7 

(Mini.  (-Ir..'*liiit. 

7 

(Mini.  I-ir.  atiiit. 

0 

1  Mini.  eir.  .-<lrnt. 

7 

(Mitn.  etr.Ktrat. 

(Mini.  eir.  atrat. 

0 

(Mini.  cir.  atrat. 

5 

(Mini.  cir.  ..itrot. 

4 

(Mini.  eir.  atnit. 

4 

Cum.  eir.  atrat. 

;d,|i 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 

iMeorohgiaal  ohieriialioHii  at  fort  i  ukoii -Cuutiuuud. 


43 


Date. 


IKflll. 
Aiiir.    ;;i 
A  lift,    -22 


A  MB,    L':i 


Aug.    34 


Auk.    2" 


B  00  p.  Ill 
HI  .'lU  II.  Ill  . 
n  110  a.  Ill 

rj  00  III  . . . 

1  00  p.  Ill 
3  00  p.  Ill 

3  00  p.  Ill  . 

4  00  p.  in  . 

.'i  00  p.  Ill 

u  00  p.  Ill  . 

7  00  p.  Ill 

6  00  p.  ni 

7  00  11.  Ill   . 

5  00  a.  Ill  . 

0  00  II.  Ill  . 

10  XD  II.  Ill 

1 1  ou  i>.  Ill  . 

11!  00  III  ... 

1  00  p  III 

2  00  p.  Ill 
.'!  00  p.  Ill  . 

4  00  p.  Ill  . 
Ti  110  p.  Ill  , 
U  00  p.  Ill 
II  00  11.  Ill 

10  00 II.  Ill 

U  00  m.  Ill 

12  00  111 

1  00  p.  Ill  .. 

2  00  p.  Ill  . . 

.■I  ao  p.  Ill . . 

■1  00  p.  Ill  . . 

5  00  j>.  Ill    . 

0  00  p.  Ill 

7  00  p.  Ill    . 

«  00  p.  Ill . . 

10  '10  II.  Ill  .  . 
12  00  111 

1  00  p.  Ill  . 
:i  00  p.  ni  .. 

0  00  a.  Ill    . 

10  30  n.  Ill  . . 
12  00  in 

1  00  p.  ill  ... 

2  00  p.  Ill  . 
4  oil  p.  Ill  . 
•">  0"  p.   III     . 

11  00  II.  Ill   ... 

11  00  a.  ni     .. 

12  CO  in   

4  00  p.  in  . . . 
7  110  p.  m  . . . 


TIIKIIuaMKTKIII!. 

Dnili'i'  covir.  Opoii  air. 

Att    I    Det    I   Dry.       Wet. 


Wind. 


flI.O  I 
."■lU.  0 

01.0 
(il.O 
lil.O 

m.o 
n.).  fl 
oil.  0 

71.0 
70.0 
U.'i.  0 
01.0 
,'i7.  0 
.10.  0 
.".C.  0 
"lU.  0 
.■|!l.  0 
(ill.  0 

0:'.  0 
(13.0 
05.0 
Uli.  0 
00.0 
83  0 
.'iO  0 
.18.  0 
00.  U 
01.0 

02.  II 

03.  0 
01.0 
O'J.  0 


ll: 
til.O 
OIVO 
00.0 
.-ill.  0 

mi.  0 

(10.5 
00.0 

.'i9.  .'>  ' 
,W.  .1 

m.  5 

82.0 
03.0 
113.  fl 
02.  ,1 

r>3. 0 

58.0 
.10.  .-■ 
00.0 

:>«  0 


04.0 
01.0 
03.0 
03.  II 
U'l.  0 
11.1.  0 
00.  0 
07.  0 
Oil.  0 
00.  0 
07.  0 
85.  0 
.W.  0 
.TO.  0 
811.0 
01.0 
62,  0 
O.'i.  0 
68.0 
IIR  0 
OII.O 
UU.  0 
OH.O 
80  0 
.Ift.  0 
(ill.  0 

o;i.  0 
8:i.  0 

08.0 
07.0 
11.1.  0 

o.-..  0 

8.1.  0 
84. 0 
63.0 
83.  0 
02.0 
(H.O 
84.0 
04.0  ' 

03.0 
O.'i.O  I 
84.5 
07.  5 
07.  5 
87,  5 
68.0 
SKO 
50.  0 
00.  5 
02.0 
80.  5 


53.  5 
5S.  2 
58.  0 
5K.  2 
5!)  II 

82.  7 
0,1.  5 

83.  0 
03.  5 
05,  0 


5S 

2 

55 

*> 

40 

.1 

51 

0 

•) 

80. 

7 

02 

5 

8.1.  •> 

03.  7 

71  0 

72.0 

fill.  2 

85.  II 

03.4 

55.  0 

01.0 

04.3 

8X  4 

05.  0 

li«  2 

04.0 

Ot.  3 

83.4 

61.0 

.10.0 

54.0 

58.  U 

02.5 

02.3 

60.7 

58.7 
90.  r> 
82.8 
87.3 
6.1.  0 
06.  5 
(H.3 
48.5 
4U.  0 
.10.  0 
50.0 
40.  S 
1 


58.  0 
52. 4 
.12.  5 
.12.  5 
51  3 
.13.  7 
.16.  2 
511.6 

50.  0 
55.  4 
.12.0 

51.  1 
47.0 
.10.4 
4!l.  3 
.1:1,  2 
.13,  0 
.1.1.  3 
.18.  0 
.18  5 
58.  0 
.W.  2 
58.7 
.14.  0 
51.0 
.12,  II 
.10,  5 
55.  4 
.15.  II 

54.  5 
5.1,0 

55.  4 
5.1.3 
.16.  5 

53.  4 
.10,  0 

54.  0 
.18.  0 
.18,0  ' 

55.  5 

.18,  0  , 
.18.0 
.18.  a 
00.0 
M.i 
80,1 
58. 1 
47,1 

47,  > 
47,1 

48.  c 
43.  5  I 


80,0 

58.  0 

47,0 

47,8 

47,  5 

48.0 

uiicor.       ri'<l"co<i  to 
Htaiidai-il 


('IiiuiIn. 


mctuil. 


:  and  32»  i\ 


.445 
20.  605 
,  085 
.874 
.025 
.  825 
.  835 
.  845 
,  655 
,  035  , 
.815 
.815  ; 
20.784  ■ 
.715 
.785 
.  758 
.7,18 
.745 
,  736  ; 
.738 
.  725 
.715  . 
.605 
,  875  : 
20,  437 
.  428 
.415 
.  453 
,  308 
,  :170 
.  3.10 
.340 
.  345 
.  328  ! 
.318 
.  285 
20,  348 
.348 
.337  ; 
.335  ; 


29.  340 
.347 
.345 
..343 
.  338 
.  330 
.  :i28 

29.  447 
.460 
.475 
.478  , 
.493 


.  345 
20.  671 
..185 
.574 
.  525 
.  .125 
.  525 
.  .1:12 
.  520 
.406 
.  .')05 
,515 
20,  675 
,  828 
.  873 
,  082 
.062 
.818 
.  034 
.031  , 
.815 
.IW2 
.582 
.670 

20,  ;i5ii 

,  .134 
,318 
.  353 
,  2114 
,271 
.2.18 
.244 
.  243 
.228 
.210 
.  108 
2!l.  254  , 
.  240 
.230  . 
.238 

29. 2.13      . 

.251 

.  247 

.231 

.231 

.  224 

.224 
211,  30:1 

.  .173 

.387 

.370 

.408 


Dllec. 
tion. 


•SW. 
.SW. 
SW, 
SW, 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 

«w. 

SW. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 
K. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 

SW. 
\v. 
w. 

K. 
K. 

y. 

X 

K. 
K. 
K. 
K. 

s, 
\. 

X. 

NE.'" 
■-■■■■ 


Kiiiio,    Ainoiint  1 


S. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 
SW. 


xw. 

NW. 
NW. 
NW. 
X  W. 


1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1  I 

I 

1 

1 

0 

1 

?! 

0  ! 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

0 

2 

.3 

2 


Kind, 


Cum.  cir.  Btrat 
I  Cain.i'ir.  Hliat 
j  <-iini.  I'ir.  Htrat. 
'  Cum.  cir,  Htrat. 
;  Cum,  I'ir.  n(riit. 
I  t'uiii.  rir.  Htrat. 

Cum.  lir  Htrat. 

Cum.  rir.  Htrat. 

('mil,  cir,  Htrat. 

Cum,  rir,  fltriit 

Ciiiii.  lir.  Htrat, 

Ciiiii,  cir.  Htrat. 

Ciiui.ilr.  Htrat. 

Cum.  rir,  Htrat 

('mil,  cir,  Htnit. 

Cum   lir.  Hiiat. 

(•'mil  cir,  Htrat. 

Cum.  cir.  Htrat. 

('uin   cir.  ntrat 

Ciiiii  cir.  Htiat. 

Cum.  cir,  ntiat. 

Cnni.  cir.  Htrat. 

Cum.  cir.  Htrat. 

(.,'iini.  cir.  Htiat. 

Cum.  cir.  Htiat. 

Cum.  cir.  Htrat. 

Cmii.  cir.  Htrat. 

Cmii.  cir.  Htiat. 

Ciiui,  cir,  Htiat, 
Cum,  cir.  Hiiat. 
Cum.  cir.  Ktrjil. 
Cum.  cir.  htrat. 
f/'uni.  cir.  Htrat. 
Cum.  cir.  Htiat. 
Cum.  cir,  aliat. 
Cum,  cir.  strut. 
Niiu.  emu. 
Cir.  iiiiu, 

Niiu.  uiiiii.  sliat. 

rain. 
Cum.  dr.  nini. 
Cir.  nun. 
Cir.  cnni. 
<''ir.  cmn. 
Cir.  luin. 
("ir.  cum. 
t'iv.  cum. 
.Villi. 

.Vim  ;  li|{iit  lain, 
('iiiii,  uiin, 
('mil,  iiiin, 
Niiii, 


cir.  I  liglit 


"Imi.iilioiiiio/  iiiiiiiiiiiim  lenijitinitiire  (tiiiini/  the  iiifihl. 
(Spirit  tlicrmmiictcr,  liaviii«  a  ktccl  index  witliin  llic  tiilii-,] 


Dalo. 


.Inu'llHt  m,  1880 
AilKUst  20,  1880 
Ail)iiint  22,  1800 
AllKUHt  23,  186" 


Obsorvoii 

niiuiiiium 

tempera- 

tnre. 


41.0 
43.  ii 
42.4 
42.4 


'riicrminii. 
ctcr  rc- 
"liiccil  to 
opcu.air 
dr.v  tlier-  i 

nioinelur.  ' 


Date, 


:l 


30.8 
42,  0 
40,0 
40.0 


AiigiiHt  21,  1861), 
AllKUHt  2,1,  1889, 
.\ilKUHt'28,  1809 
AllKUHt '27.  18119, 


Latitude  88    X\'  47" 
September,  IS89, 


iouKitude  145    17.47"  «eHl  ol  tirecnwieli;  c piited  byCapt,  C,  W,  Hii.m d,  K 


OllHOl-vrd 

Tlic 
iti 

■111. 
r  re- 

minimiim 

ed  III 

tempera- 

npini-air 

turo. 

dry 

tlicr- 

nuimeler 

0 

0 

86.2  ' 
40.0 
48.0 
44.5 

.14.8 
44.4 
46.  ,1 
43.0 

vUKiiieer  CiirpH,  IJ.  .s.  A rui.v ,  ,riily  tu 


4d 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  rATURAT   HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


ABSTRACT  OF  DAILY  JOITRNAL  KEPT  AT  UNALABHKA  ISLAND,  ALASKA. 


SKPTEMIiER,  1878. 

8epteinb«r  2  :  Giile  from  tbo  nnrtliwuHt. — Soptombor  !) :  Gale  from  the  west .  — Sopteniliur  5 :  Light  Kule  from  E.  to 
SE.  ;  moderato  rain. — Soiiteinltor  fi :  Lijslit  gain  from  the  Houtliwcat ;  hard  rain. — Soptomber7:  Misty  in  a.  ni. ;  mod- 
erate rain-fall.  — Septombi-r  11:  Modoviite  rain. — Soptemljer  lU  :  Light  rain. — September  14  :  Light  ruin.— September 
If) :  Light  rain. — September  16  :  Moderate  rain. — Seiitoniber  17:  Moderate  rain. — September  18  ;  Hard  rain. — Septem- 
ber 1!) :  Moderate  rain. — September  •Jl  :  Gnsty  gale;  light  rain. — September  8.5:  Light  rain. — Sei)tember  88:  Light 
rain ;  gn.sty,  high  wiids. — September  29  :  Light  rain  ;  sni  w  on  the  mountains. — September  30  :  Moderate  rain  ;  gusty, 
high  winds. 

OCTOBER,  1878. 

October  1 :  Moderate  rain-fall ;  heavy  snow  on  the  hills. — Oetober  2:  Light  rain. — October  3  :  Light  rain  ;  snow 
falls  every  night  on  the  hills. — October  4  :  Light  rain  and  sleet. — October  .'i :  Light  frost  during  night. — October!): 
Hard  storm  of  wind  ;  light  rain  from  the  Houthwe.tt. — Octqbor  7  :  Fearful  storm  from  the  southwest;  moderate  rain. — 
October  9:  Gusty,  gale  from  S\V.  to  SH.  ;  moderate  rain. — October  11:  Light  rain.— October  14  :  Gusty  gale  from 
the  southwest. — October  l.'i:  Moderate  rain,  fell  as  snow  on  the  hills. — Oetober  10:  Light  snow;  lieavy  squalls  of 
sleet. — October  17  :  Heavy  squalls  of  sleet. — October  18:  .Snow  s(|ualls. — October  80:  Moderate  snow  fell. — October 
88:  Moderate  rain.— October  8lt :  Moderate  gale  from  the  southeast;  heavy  rain. — October  84:  Moderate  rain. — 
Oetober^25:  Heavy  rain;  high,  gusty  winds  from  the  southeast. — October  8(1:  Very  hard  ralii. — October  89:  Light 
rains;  solar  halo. — October  30:  Moderate  rain. — October  31:  Light  rain;  snow  has  fallen  quite  heavily  on  the 
monutaiiis. 

NOVEMHEK,  1878. 

November  1:  Heavy  frost ;  lunar  corona;  solar  halo;  heavy  snow  on  the  hills. — November  8:  Light  snow  squalls. — 
November  3  ;  Heavy  snow. — November  5  :  Light  snow  squalls. — November  6  ;  Moderate  rain  and  snow. — November 
7:  Light  rain. — November  8:  Gusty  gale  from  SE.  to  SW.  ;  light  squalls  of  snow  and  sleet. — November  9 :  Strong 
gusty  gale  from  the  west ;  heavy  siuiw  aiul  sleet  squalls.  -November  10 :  Gusty  gale  from  the  southeast ;  heavy  rain  and 
sleet. — November  18:  Slight  earthquake  reported  at  8.30  a.  m. — November  14  :  Moderate  snow  fell. — November  15  : 
Slight  spits  of  sleet. — November  10:  Modc^rate  .snow;  .solar  halo.— November  17:  Moderate  snow. — November  18: 
Heavy  simw.— November  80  :  Snow  squalls. — November  81:  Snow  falling  lightly. — November  28:  Heavy  snow. — 
November  83:  Light  suo.v. — November  84;  Heavy  snow.— November  8.5  :  Moderate  snow. — November  80:  Moderate 
snow. — November  28  :  Uain,  sleet,  and  snow  quite  heavy. — November  89  :  Light  rain. 


■Kif 


i    f  ■ 

'1 

III 

DECEMBER,  1878. 

December  i.  Light  snow. — December  8:  Light  snow. — Decembers:  Strong  gale  from  the  southeast ;  snow  chang- 
ing to  rain,  quite  heavy. — December  4  :  Hard  rain. — December  ,5  :  Modor.ato  rain.— December  0  :  Rain,  s!U)w,  and  sleet 
in  heavy  squalls.— December  n :  Hard  rain. — December  1 1  :  Moderate  rain,  sleet,  and  snow. — December  18  :  Moderate 
snow. — December  13  :  Strong,  gusty  gab'  from  the  southeast  ;  moderate  rain.— December  1,5  :  Moderate  rain. — Decem- 
ber 10  :  Moderate  snow. — December  18:  Heavy  i-now. — Deceur  r  19  :  Heavy  snow  s(iuiills. — December  81  :  Fearful  gale 
from  the  north  ;  much  cirlfliug  snow. — December  88  :  High  gale  from  N.  to  N\V.;  falling  snow  drifted. — December  83: 
Sno.-  fell  and  drifted  from  high  winds. — Dicember84  ;  Misting,  later  heavy  rain. — December  85:  Fearful  gale  from 
^  ■  .theast ;  dashing  rain  melted  nearly  3  feet  of  ground-snow. — December  80:  Heavy  rain. — Decemlx^r  87  :  High 
gale  from  the  southeast ;  very  heavy  rain. — December  88  :  Terrilic  giile  increased  to  storm  from  the  southeast ;  heavy 
rain-fall. — December  89  :  High,  gusty  gale  from  SE.  to  SW.  ;  heavy  rain  with  snow. — December  30  :  Rain  and  snow  of 
moderate  character. — December  31 :  Fearful  hnrrieaiie  from  SE.  to  E.  ;  very  heavy  riiiu-fall.  An  anc^roid  barometer 
in  the  office  of  the  Alaska  Commercial  Company  read  87.84  at  4.20  p.  m.  ;  all  the  siuiw  molted  from  the  mountains. 


li   i      M' 


m 


i'  '• 


.JANUARY,  1879. 

January  1:  Moderate  rain. — January  2:  Light  rain. — January  3:  Light  snow. — January  4:  Modeiate  rain  and 
snow. — January  .5:  Light  snow. — January  0  :  Light  snow. — January  10:  Light  rain.— January  U:  Misty.— January 
12:  Light  snow. — January  10:  Snow  sqiialls'of  hard  eharaeter. — January  17:  Snow  and  sleet,  drifted  furiously. — Jan- 
uary 80  :  Snow  and  rain  of  light  character. — January  81 :  Gale  from  the  southwest ;  heavy  snow. — January  88  :  Gnsty 
gale  I'riuu  the  southwest. — January  84  :  Heavy  rain. — January  85.— Moderate  rain. — Januiiry  8(i :  Hard  gale  from  the 
southeast;  bard  snow  8(inalls  ;  snow  drifted. — January  87  :  Fearful  gale;  hard  snow  fall. — Januaray  88:  Gusty  gale 
from  the  Hoiithwest ;  snow  s([ualls. — January  89 :  Awful  hurricane  from  the  southwest;  snow  fell  and  drifted  furi- 
ously; aneroid  barometer  in  the  olllce  of  the  Alaska  Coiumercial  Company  read  87.70  at  4.80  p.  m. — .lauciaiy  30 : 
Terrific  gale  from  the  southwest;  snow  fell  and  drifted  furiously. — January  31  :  Lunar  halo.  The  natives  predicted 
that  this  mouth  would  be  one  characterized  by  its  extienie  mildness;  the  report  shows  thai  each  <lay  was  busy  and 
replete  with  atmospheric  disturbances. 

FEBRUARY,  1879. 

February  1 :  Heavy  rain. — February  2:  Moderate  snow. — February  5:  Gnsty  gale  from  the  southeast;  solar  halo 
from  drifting  snow. — February  0:  Moderate  rain. — February  7:  Gusty  gale  from  the  southeast;  inoderria  rain. — 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


45 


Ffibniary  8 :  Mi>ili<ratfl rain.— Foliriiiiry  12 :  Mmlonitc  rain.— I'Vliriiur.v  13 :  Mixltiruti'  rain.— Foliriiury  14 :  Hani  frost.— 
Febrnary  I'J:  Gusty  galo  from  NE.  to  N\V. ;  liKlit  hiiow.— Ftiliruiiry  aO:  IliKh  nalp,  vory  K"«tyi  ff""'  N.  to  N\V.— Feb- 
ruary ai ;  Gusty  Kalo  from  N.  to  NW. ;  liard  hmow  wiuails.— Foliruary  yi ;  Snow  fi'll  and  ilrifti'tl.— Febrnary  'S.i :  .Snow 
fell  and  drifted.— February  '24:  Snow  drifted  fiirionsly.— February  aii :  Snow  diifted  lightly.— February  27:  Snow 
drifted  furiously.- t'obrnary  28:  Light  snow  fell. 

MAUCH,  187». 

Mareli  1:  Hard  snow  squalls.— March  3:  Miiidi  snow  drifteil.— Mareli  (i;  Solar  halo  and  parhelia.— March  9: 
Heavy  snow.— Mareli   10:  Heavy  snow.— March   11:  Heavy  snow.— Mareli  I'J:  Snow  si|ualls  of  li({lit  character. — 
March  13:    Hard  snow-fall.— March   17:  Misty.— March  18:  Heavy  snow  fell.— March  '23:  Solar  halo.— March  2r> 
Imperfect  solar  halo.— March '28  :  minding  snowstorm;  little  rain  foil.— March  29:  Moderate  snow  squalls.— March 
30:  Light  snow  S(innlls.— March  31 :  WarnuT,  with  threatened  rain. 

APRIL,  1879. 

April  1:  Arrival  of  schooner  llella  from  San  Francisco;  snow  squall  of  fre(|uent  occuircnce. — April  2:  Snow 
Bipialls  of  moderate  character.— April  3:  Lifjht  snow  and  .slc(a.— April  .■>:  Gale  from  the  southwest,  very  gusty;  wet 
snow  fell.— April  (i:  Moderate  snow  fell.— April  7:  Moderate  snow  fell.  — April  9:  Moderate  snow  fell.— April  1(1: 
Heavy  snow. — April  II  :  Gnsty  gah^  from  the  went. — April  12:  Light  snow. — April  II  :  Light  snow.— April  17:  Fear- 
ful vstorni,  much  drifting.— April  1^:  Imporlcct  solar  halo.— April  19:  Heavy  snow  fell. — April20:  Lightsnow.— 
April  J I :  Light  snow  and  sleet.— April  '22:  Tale  solar  halo.— April  23  :  Moderate  riiiii. — April  '27:  Arrival  of  vessel  .St. 
George  from  San  Francisco.  I  prepare  to  depart  for  Attn  Island  under  instructions  from  ollice  of  the  Chief  Signal 
OlUcer.     Observations  discontinued  at  this  place. 


ABSTRACT  OF  DAILY  JOURNAL  KRPT  AT  ATKIIA  ISLAND,   ALASKA. 

MAY,  1879. 

May  4:  .\rrived  at  this  place. ^Mny  ,':  Ves.s('l  (lischiiigcd  caif^o,— May  (i:  Departure  i  f  vessel;  instnimenU  put 
in  temporary  position.— May  7:  Began  taking  meteorological  <d)se,v;itions;  light  snow  I.dl  in  early  a.  m. — May  9: 
Light  sqnall  of  sleot  and  rain.-  May  10:  Copious  rain. — Miiy  II:  Lij^ht  gale  from  the  southeast;  heavy  rarn. — May 
12:  Moderate  rain. — May  13:  Sleet  scpialls  of  light  chiiracler.— May  1':  Very  gusty  gale  SK.  to  S. ;  heavy  rain. — May 
15:  Strong  gale  ;  moderate  ruin. — May  Id:  Few  tiakcsof  snow.  — May  17  :  Moderate  rain  ;  gusty  wind.  — May  18:  Light 
rain. — May  21:  Light  snow. — May  '22:  High  winds;  light  snow. — Ma."  "23:  Giiaty  gale  from  NK.  to  SE.;  moderate 
rain  and  few  snow-liiikes  fell.— May '24 :  Moderates  rain. — May  2."):  Ligl  t  rain.— May 'Jti:  Hard  gale  from  northwest; 
sleet  fell  at  intervals. — May'2ti:  Light  snow  fell. — May  29:  Light  rail. — May  30:  (iusty  SF.  to  NW.  winds;  heavy 
rain. — May  31:  Light  rain;  high  teniperaturo  (().">"). 

JUNE,  1879. 

June  1  :  Light  rain. — Juiie  2 :  Very  gnsty  from  the  iioi  thwest  ;  light  to  moderate  ruins. — June  3  :  Gusty  gale  from 
the  Dorthwest ;  moderate  rain  ;  severe  eartliipiaUe  at  9.3IIJ  a.  in.;  the  shocks  were  almost  without  interval,  moving 
from  E.  to  W. ;  the  undiilatioiiH  niimberid  eight  and  lasted  about  six  secmids;  the  clock  was  stopped  by  being  thrown 
out  of  perpendicular.— June  7  :  Moderate  rain.— June  8:  Gusty  giile  Ironi  the  iKUthwcst ;  hard  rain. — June  9:  Light 
gale  from  the  northwest  ;  heavy  rain  ;  sleet  Icll  iit  times. — .liiiie  13:  Light  rain. — .luiie  l(i:  Solar  halo  at  2  p.  m. — June 
17:  I'ale  solar  halo. — June  21:  Dense  fog. — June  '22:  Light  rain. — .liiiic2:t:  Light  rain. — June  '.i^i:  Gusty  gale  from 
the  northwest. — June  27  :  Arrival  of  icviiine  cutter  Kicliard  Kiish. — June  'Jf* :  Dejiarture  of  Richard  Rush. — June  30: 
Gusty  gale  from  the  northwest ;  light  rain. 

JULY,  1879. 

July  I :  Heavy  rain-fall.— July  2  :  Light  gale  from  the  west ;  rain,  snow,  and  sleet  fell;  (piite  heavily  on  the  hills. — 
Jiily3:  Solar  halo.^Jnly  4  :  Distant  thunder ;  hard  rain.— July  .""):  Hard  rain. — ,Iiily8:  Heavy  rain. — Jnlyll:  Hard 
gale  from  SE.  to  S\V. ;  very  heavy  rain.— July  12;  Hard  rain.— .Inly  13:  Light  gale  from  the  southeast;  moderate 
rain. — July  ir> :  Light  showers.— July  If:  Light  gale  fiom  ilic  west.— .Iiily  23;  .Moderate  rain.— July  24:  Moderate 
rain. — July  '28  :  Moderate  rain. — July  "29:  Heavy  rain. — .Inly  31  ;  Very  gusty  gale  from  the  west. 

AUGUST,   1879. 

August  2:  Drizzling  rain.— August  3:  Modcrali'  rain;  temperature  readied  (UV. — August  4:  Gusty  S.  to  SW. 
winds;  light  rain. — August.');  Vi'iy  heavy  rain. — August  (I;  Very  hard  rain;  lunar  corona. — August  7:  Moderate 
rain. — August  8;  Gale  from  the  west  ;  light  rain. — August  9;  Light  rain;  gusty  I'loiii  tlie  west. — August  11:  Hard 
rain. — August  12:  Light  rain. — August  14  ;  Hard  rain  :  arrival  of  schooner  St.  George,  froir  "nalashka. — August  15: 
Moderate  rain;  departure  of  St.  (icorge  for  the  westward.— .Viigust  17:  Light  rain.— August  l8;  Moderate  rain. — 
August  20;  Foggy.— August  21;  Hardest  dash  of  rain.— August  '22:  Very  hard  rain.— August  '23;  Very  hard  rain. — 
August  27:  Gusty  in  a.  m. ;  hard  rain.— August  '28;  Gusty  winds  blowing  a  hard  gale  from  west;  moderate  rain. — 
August  '29 :  Arrival  of  vessel  St.  George  from  the  westward  ;  depart  for  Unalashka  ;  observations  censed  because  there 
was  no  one  to  take  tbeni. 


1 


1 1! 


■;!i 


it 

1M:) 


I  1! 


V    '11  j 


II  i 


48 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  III8T(JRYOP  ALASKA. 


MONTHLY    AnSTBAOT   OF   DAILY  JOURNAL   KEl'T   AT    UNALASUKA   ISLAND,   ALASKA. 

After  uiy  return  from  Atklia  iHlaiul  ou  the  8tli  of  Septuiiibor,  I  phvuud  the  iiiatriiinentH  in 
poaitiun  aiitl  began  taking  obaervationH  on  the  17th  iuHtant. 

*  SK1*TKMI»EK,  IH71>. 

Septeiiilior  38 :  Solar  halo. — Scptoinber  !K) :  Light  rain. — S«|iteinhi)r  'M :  Moderate  rain. 

OCTOUKH,  1H7!».  •  .  I 

Octolior  fi:  Rain,  Hnow,  and  Nlont  fell  qnite  heavily.— Octolitir  7:  Light  rain. — October  !(:  Lij{ht  rnin.— October 
10:  Moderate  ruin. — Oetolterll:  Ll);lit  rain. — October  Iv!:  Liglit  rain, — Octolierlil:  Liglit  rain. — OctolMir  II :  Moder- 
ate rain.— October  Ifi;  l.i);lit  rain. — Octolierlti:  .Snow  fell  on  llie  nionntaiiiH.— Octolior  IH:  Moderate  rain;  Hleet  IVl 
lightly.— Oetolier  1!>:  Moderate  rain. — October  'Jd :  Light  ruin. — Octcdier  '21 ;  Onnty  gale  from  the  north;  hih)SV  and 
Hleet  H(|nnllN;  lirHt  appearance  of  fnr-NealH  {('allorhiniiH  imiHUH)  from  the  breeding-groninlH  at  the  I'lihilof  iHlandH. — 
Oct(d)er  '^'i:  OnHty  gale  from  the  north;  niiow  ami  Hleet  H<|nallH  of  hard  character. — October '.jit:  Snow  and  NJeet  in 
light  H(|nallH;  ice  formed  on  tlic  shallow  po(dH, — October  'ii  :  Low  gale  from  the  north;  hard  sleet  and  Hnow 
(joallH. — Oetolx^r  a.^:  Moderate  rain  witli  sleet  Hi|inills.— Octol)er  '.Jti:  Light  rain  and  sleet  squalls. — October  37; 
Onsty  gale  from  the  sontheast ;  very  heavy  rain;  arrival  of  schooner  llnalashka  fr<«n  San  Franeiseo. — October  '2rt  : 
Hard  gale  from  the  Honthcast;  extremely  heavy  rain;  nearly  all  the  Hnow  has  ilisappeared  from  the  moniitainH. — 
Oct(d>er  311:  l>ashing  rain;  lunar  ctorcma. — October  'M:  Light  rain;  frost  in  the  evening. — October  ;il ;  Moderate 
rain,  fell  as  snow  on  the  nu>untuinH. 

NOVEMBKR.  187U. 

November  1:  Fretpient  showers  of  rain ;  ice  fornuid  dnring  the  night. — Novombor  3:  Heavy  snow  and  rain 
scpiallH. — November  '.\:  Rain  and  snow,  the  former  qnite  heavy  at  times. — Novemlier  4:  Very  gnsty  from  SW.  to 
.SK.  ;  light  rain  and  snow.- November  r> :  Very  heavy  rain. — November  (i:  Hard  rain. — November  7:  Light  gale 
from  SW.  to  NW.  ;  moderate  rain. — November  8  :  (insty  gale  from  the  west;  snow  and  ruin  of  light  character; 
departnre  of  Saint  (5eorge  for  San  Francisco. — November  11 :  .Snow  8(inalls;  dense  fog  in  the  IJuinnik  Pass.— Novem- 
ber tl :  Hard  gale  from  SW.  to  ,SK. ;  very  heavy  rain. — NovembiT  13:  Strong  gale  from  the  sonthwost ;  moderate 
rain. — November  111:  (lusty  gale  from  the  west;  light  rain  and  snow. — Novembc^r  II:  Light  rain  ami  snow. — 
Novend)er  15:  High  gale  from  tln>  north. — November  17:  Rain  ami  hail. — November  IS:  Rain  and  snow,  very 
light. — November  30:  Light  sleet.— November  33:  Hard  rain. — November  3:t :  Hard  rain;  very  gnsty. — November 
34  ;  Low  gale  from  the  southeast ;  moderate  rain. — November  30 :  Moderatr  rain. — November  37 :  Very  heavy  rain. — 
Novt^mber  38:  Lunar  corona;  departure  of  Daisy  Rowe  lor  San  Francisco. — November  ;jy :  Drizitliug  and  foggy 
clouds. — November  ;iO:  Light  rains. 

DKCKMHKR.  187!». 

December  I  :  Moderate  rain. — Deccmlier3:  Light  showerH  id'  rain,  (dnvuged  to  snow.— December  ;i :  Very  gnsty 
winds;  frecpient  H(|nall8  <d'  sleet  ami  snow. — December  4:  Low,  gusty  gale  t'roin  the  northwest;  snow  and  Hli'ct 
squalls,  very  light.— December  ;■>;  Light  snow  and  hIci^  .sciualls. — Dceciidicr  0  ;  Light  snow  and  sleet, — December*: 
Spits  of  snow  and  sleet. — December  !•:  High  gale  from  the  northwest ;  violent  squalls  of  snow  and  sleet.— Deceudun'  10: 
(iale  from  the  muthweHt ;  violent  swirls  of  snow  and  sleet. — December  17:  Hard  rain. — December  18:  Hard  rain. — 
Dec^einber  19:  Heiivy  rain. — December  30:  Light  rain. — December  31:  Light  rain;  Hchooner  (Jeorgie  R.  Iliggins 
departs  for  San  Franeiseo. — Decendier33:  Light  rains. — December  3;t :  Heavy  rains. — Decend>er  34  :  Frost. 

JANUARY,  1880. 

Jannary  1  :  Heavy  frost. — January  3 :  General  shooting  stars  this  evmiing. — January:!:  Light  spit  of  snow.— 
Januarys;  Heavy  frost — January  It:  Light  snow. — January  10:  Light  now. — January  II:  Light  snow  changing  to 
moderate  rain.— January  13  :  Moderate  rain. — January  l^i:  Rain,  hail,  ami  snow. — January  16:  Very  light  spit  of 
.)Uow.— January  17:  Much  rain  mixed  with  snow.— January  18:  Hard  rain.— Janmvry  19:  Onsty  gale  to  u  low 
gtorm  rate  from  the  south:  light  snow  tell.— January  30:  Gale  from  the  northwest;  heavy  buow.— January  31: 
Heavy  snow.- Jannary  33  :  Light  'm>w.— Jannary  3:i :  I.,ight  snow  ;  lunar  corona,— Jannary  34  :  Heavy  snow, — 
January  3():  Moderate  rain  ;  gale  from  SE.  to  SW. — January  37  :  Fine  snow  Ml  in  late  p,  m, — January  38:  Moderate 
rain  and  snow. — Jannary  39:  Light  smiw.— Jannary  ;tO :  Light  rain  anil  snow;  few  discharges  of  hail  with  rain. — 
January  :tl  :  Gale  from  the  northeast;  heavy  rain  and  snow. 

FEBRITARY.  1880. 

February  1 :  Moderate  rain  with  snow.— February  3 :  Light  snow.- Fobrnary  Tt :  Heavy  snow  and  light  rail. ,— Feb- 
ruary (i:  Light  rains. — February  8 :  High  winds  with  snow  which  drifted  furiously, — February  9 :  Gusty  gale  from 
SE,  to  SW,;  rain,  snow,  and  sleet  fell  in  nu)derate  quantitios. — February  10:  Furious  gale  from  the  west;  violent 
drifting  of  the  falling  sleet  and  snow.-  February  11 :  Drifting  snow ;  moderate  snow  fell. — February  13:  Kain  and  snow 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATUIlAIi  HISTORY  OF  AhASKA. 


47 


of  iiiuilAralo  c'liuruotitr. — Kdlirnury  13:  lilght  miiow.— Feliiii«r,v  14:  Kiiint.  Iiitio  luid  |mrlii'lia. — hVbriiury  17;  Kiiii' Holiir 
hiilo,  lirilliiuit  iiurlicliii,  itiiil  wnll-diivcloped  liiiiitr  lialii.— Knliiimry  IH;  lliiril  niiii  I'm  I'mv  iiiiiiiitim,  liiti-r  very  HkIiI. 
Kt'hrniiry  1!':  Kiiin,  liiiil,  kIi'iiI,  ;iiiiI  hihiw  iirin<>ili>ritti'  clmrHili'i-;  miiviil  of  ItiiiHV  Rowr  Iroiii  Sun  KiiinrlHio.  —  l''rliniiiry 
ad:  NiirMiwcNl  k"!''  "•'  liiiil  cliiirnrti'i'.— IVbrimry  ^I :  (iiitly  iHiilliwcut  naif.-  Kcliiiiiiiy  VV:  (iiil"  rmiii  tlic  mutlnviHt  ; 
iniHUiriitii  ruin  witli  hiiow.—  Kiil>iiiiiry  'i'.i:  Mmlorati'  rain. — Kchrnaiy  'l\:  MkIiI  rain. -I'clniiary  ■.'r>:  Kuw  Hlorin  I'rcun 
tliii  .siintlnMiNl ;  liaul  raiTi,  liltli'  Kici't.- ['"I'lirnary  'jri:  (inNly  k»I<'  '''"'"  lln' tinrlliwi-Nl,  Hfliiw  anil  hIciM.— IVIiruary  a7 : 
Iliiril  ruin  with  hiiow, — I'ohrilnry  U8:  Snow  itnti  nIim'I  Ni|na1lN.-  I'Vlirnury  !2'.):  Solar  halo  anil  parliolia. 

MAH(;il,  IHHO. 

Marili  1;  Palo  lialo  ariinnil  tho  Hun.— March  '.J:  I'ali-  Holar  halo.— Vlanh  II :  (hiMty  j;iilo  Irnni  llii'  wthI  |  liiiil 
raiiiH.- -March  I :  M(thl.  rain. -March  T) :  (iaic  from  the  wcsl  ;  rain,  hiiow,  anil  mIcii,  willi  thnnilcr  ami  liKhlniii);.— 
March  (i:  (iimly  ijalc;  rain,  miiow,  anil  Hlcet.-- March  7:  Lijjhl  rain.— March  H:  Ijulil  hiiow.— March  1» :  Moilcralc 
miow,— March  Id:  llaril  rain  anil  Hnow. — March  II:  l.ijjht  nnow.- March  lU:  IjkIiI  rain.— March  1:1;  Liiiil  nalc 
from  the  HonlhcaHt;  very  heavy  rain.  -March  II:  l.ifjhl  rain. —March  l.'i:  llanl  Hlorm  from  the  MonlheiiNl  ;  heavy 
ruin.— March  Hi:  l,i){ht  rain;  pale  nolar  halo.- March  17:  llanl  rain  ami  hiiow.  -March  IH:  l.inht  rain.— March  111; 
llinh  nale  front  the  norlli ;  much  hiiow  ami  nleet  fell  ami  ilrifleil.— Mifch 'Jd:  Oiinly  jjale  from  the  norlhwcHi;  hIccI 
am)  snow,  lirifleil  aH  it  fell.— March  '.'l  :  Muhl  rain  ami  snow.  -March  'Jl :  I  JKht  rain.  —March  '£> :  Arrival  of  Matliew 
Turner  from  Sail  KranciNco.— Maich  ','ll:  Solar  anil  lunar  halo.  — March  'Jrt :  I,i(;ht  rain. — March  'M :  M^lit  rain.— 
March  'M  :  Very  light  ruin.— March  111  :  M);ht  Hhowern  of  rain. 

AI'Ull,,  IHHd. 

April 'J:  liaiii  anil  hiiow  of  liifhtcHt  character. — April  :i:  Li);ht  rain  anil  hiiow.  -April  4 :  I.if;lil  hiiow.  April  ,'i: 
Sled  Hi|iiallH. — .\pril  (1:  l.inht  rain  anil  hiiow. — Aiiril  7:  (iiinty  wimls  from  SI'",,  to  N\V.  ;  moilerate  rain. — April  H: 
Stroll;;  storm  from  theiiiirlh;  little  hiiow  ami  hIccI  ;  arriviil  of  ITiialiiHlika  Iroiii  San  I'liiiiciHco. — April  Id:  I.i^ht  ^ale 
from  the  sonthcaHt  ;  rain  with  hail.- -A  "il  11  :  Uk'''  hiiow. — April  V!  :  l-i^ht  rain,  hail,  ami  hiiow. -April  lit:  Kaiii, 
HIIOW,  anil  slcct.-  April  II:  IliKh  gaie  'rom  ilie  west;  liKht  hiiow  ami  nlcet. — AlirillT):  Lar^e  llaken  of  hiiow  fell 
lightly. — April  It!:  (iuNty  Kiile  from  the  HoiithwcHt ;  moderate  rain  with  hiiow.-  April  17:  (fusty  ^ale  from  southwcHt; 
rain,  hiiow,  and  Hleet  of  li^hteht  character. — April  {><•.  IliKh  storm  from  N\V.  to  N. ;  moderate  huow  ami  nleet ;  hard 
freeze  hiHl  night. — April  llh  Heavy  hiiow  Hi|Hall. — April  yi:  Moderate  ^ale  friiiii  the  iiorthwcHt ;  violent  hluet  Hqiiall. — 
April 'J;i:  l.i(;ht  rain  ;  Holar  halo. — April  24:  Light  rain. — ApriliiV:  Light  rain.  —April 'JH:  Very  light  rain.— April  110  : 
Spring-liko  weather. 

MAY,  1880. 

May  1:  Removal  of  my  ofllco  to  room  iidJoiiiliiK  otllce  of  the  WcHterii  Kiir  and  Trading  ("oiii)>any.-  May  10:  Sohi 
halo. — May  I'J  :  Hard  rain.— May  IH:  Hard  rain.— May  14:  Ml.-itj.  — May  l!"):  High  wiinlH;  hard  rain.— May  Iti:  High 
windH  from  the  northwest;  hard  rain;  later  misty. —May  17:  Iliird  rain,— May  IH;  Strong  gale:  hard  rain.— May 
1!> :  Light  rain. — May  !il  :  Light  hiiow  and  rain.  — May  'J:i:  ,Snow  and  rain  of  moderale  character.  — .May  "Jit:  Minty. — 
May'Jt!:  Heavy  froNt ;  .solar  halo. -May  '^7  :  Showery,  of  light  character. — May  '.",1:  I'reparatioiiH  for  departure  to  Attn 
iHland,  AlHHka,  for  the  piirposu  of  taking  a  Ncrien  of  iiieleorological  idwervatioiiH  at  that  place, 

ABSTRACT   OF   DAILY   .TOUKNAL   KEl'T    AT    ATTU   ISLAND,    ALASKA. 

.IlILY,  IHHO, 

July  21 :  Placed  iiiHtriiiiient  in  poHition.— .Inly 'Jli:  llcgaii  taking  mctciirological  oliHorvatioiiH;  tino  weathor,with 
clear,  warm  dayH  and  no  precipitation  for  the  rcniaiiider  of  the  iiinnth. 

AUdUST.  18S0, 

AngiiHt  4  :  OnHty  gale  from  the  iiorthwent ;  niodeiate  rain. — August  :"> :  Hard  gale  from  the  iiorthwent  with  violent 
rain, — AugUHtO;  Low  gale  from  the  northwest:  very  hard  rain.— August  7:  Very  hard  rain  with  low  gale  from  the 
northwcHt. — August  8:  Light  rain  ;  natives  aHscrl  that  the  gale  which  previiilcd  lor  the  three  pant  ilayn  in  an  iiiiusiial 
occnrience  for  August. — August  14:  Misty. — Angiist  l.'>:  Light,  minty  rain.— August  10:  Light  rain.— August  '2M  : 
Light  rain,— AiigiiHt  y:t:  Light  rain.— AugiiHt  211:  Hard  rain.— August  'i7  :  Light  rain.— Augimt  'iH:  MiBty. — Angnnt 
2St :  Hard  rnin, — August  MO  :  Moderate  rain, — August  111  :  Light  rain. 


SKPTKMIIKR,   1880, 

Septt'uiher  1  :  Light  raiii,—8epti'niV)pr  fi :  Very  light  rain,— Scptemlicr  7  :  Drizzly.— Septemlier  Id :  Light  rain.— 
Septemhcr  1(1 :  Hard  rain.— Scpteniher  IH:  Hard  rain. — Septcndu'r '.id  :  Vrost  ;  lunar  halo.— Septcinher  "JI  :  Showery; 
lunar  halo. — Septeiiihcr  2',';  Light  rain.— Septcmhir  'Jit:  Meihrate  rain.— Sc))tciiiliir  '.'4:  DaNliiiig  rain;  gusty  gale 
from  S,  to  SK, — Seiitciiilier  '.','1:  StitV  gale  from  the  sonlhcast  ;  hard  lain,— Scpteniher  28:  Little  hail  fell  in  ji,  in, — 
8eptonihor  liO  :  Dashing  rain  with  gusty  gale  from  the  southeast. 


48 


CONTRIBUTIONS  T(J  THE  NATHUAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


OCTOHKK,  1H«(). 

0(!tu)iur  1 :  V«ry  Jiiiril  ruin;  kiiI«  from  tlio  luirtli. — Ootolicr '.^ :  SliitwurH  of  ruin;  npitH  of  hiiow  ;  lii){li  winilx. — 
Ocliilicr  It ;  lliinl  iliiHlii'N  of  ruin. — Oi'ti)ln'r  I :  Hn'iw  fell  liciivil.v  on  tlio  nioiintiiiiiH.— Octolii'r  fi ;  A  Cnrioim  ({IiIb  with 
({nNiN  (if  a  liiirricimo  rati>  nil  ilit.v  ;  llii'  roof  of  my  Iioiino  wnn  taken  oH',  tlir  ImarilN  looNi'ni'd,  a  llooil  of  watxr  ontcriHl 
from  till'  torrmtH  of  rain  ;  tl^i'  anrnionirtur  rarrii'tl  iitV  anil  liriit  out  of  ^lla|lo  ;  nil  of  my  H|ii'cinii'nNiif  natural  liiNlory, 
inolnilin);  a  ('oni|il«li!  wrii'H  of  jilantN  I'roni  various  iKlamlN  of  llir  Alriiliiin  rlniin,  worr  riiimil  ;  no  lirl)i  of  any  kinil 

hurt'  anil   vory  littlu  with  uliirli  to  rc|iair  ilamiiKr;  all   ri hIn  wrilti'n  with  ink  wrro  in   nioHl  inHtanci-H  liiipitli'Hxly 

rninril ;  tlui  winit  blew  from  SK.  (o  K.  ovir  tlir  nionntain  topM  in  tlir  nioNt  violent  ({iiHtH. — Ortolior  (i :  (lal<>  from  tlio 
Hontlii'aHt ;  Hliowi^ry. — Octolirr  7  ;  (lusty  (jalr  from  K.  to  NK.  ;  Iiiiril  rain.— 0(^tiilii'r  H  :  (Jiistj  kiiIo  from  tlio  nortlinaHt  ; 
snow  on  tlio  liills;  moiliTnto  nIiowi'M. — Octolii'r '.* .'  ){ain  ;  xiiiiw  frll  in  ll^lit  anioiiniN,  iliNiippi'iiriii);  on  lli«  IiiIIh, — 
Oi'tolirr  1(1  •  liiinar  halo. — Octolicr  II:  Moili'mlo  rain;  heavy  snow  on  thr  hills. — Ocloher  l)i :  Moilerato  snow  anil 
rain. — Octohiir  Kt :  Hani  rain. — Oitnlirr  Hi :  Li^lit  rain. — Oitoher  17  ;  Arrival  of  stramrr  Dora  from  rastwaril  ;  I  liavi', 
just  this  ilay,  ri'pairi'il  tlio  ilamaKi's  which  oiTiiriiil  to  my  lioiisi' r.n  Ortolior  5  ;  lunar  halo  in  ovimiin;.— 'Ii'tobcr  IH  : 
Linht  rain  anil  snow.— Oijlolirr  ",'(1 ;  Miiili'ratii  rain;  lif;lit  frost. — Oi.tolii'r 'Jii ;  Haul  rain. — Octobor  81) ;  Lijjht  rain. — 
Octobor  81  :  Misty. — Oi'tiihor  y."i :  Drizzly.— Oelobi>r  8H  :  Moilcrato  frost  anil  froozu. — October  lU  :  Four  vilinitiong  of 
an  ('urtlii|naku  at  .UD  u.  m.  ;  nnilnlations  from  K.  to  W. 


liM 


:■       V.i 


■Hi 


NOVKMBER,  1880. 

November  2:  Lijjlit  snow. — Novembor  11:  Light  slept  and  snow  spits. — November?  :  Rain  and  hail  of  liriit  ebar- 
actor. — November  H  :  Liriit  rain  ;  lunar  eorona. — Novcinlier  lit:  Light  rain  iiiiil  snow. — November  14  :  Rain  and  snow 
of  modorato  character. — November  ICi:  Hard  gale  fnim  the  south;  moderate  rain  with  snow. — November  17:  Mod- 
erate rain  with  little  snow. — November  l-<:  Hard  rain.— November  li» :  Hard  rain.— November  8(1:  fiight  to  misty 
rniu. — November  88:  Misty  to  niodcrate  rain.— November  8:1 ;  Hard  rain.— Novenibir  84:  Very  hard  rain.— Novem- 
ber8.'i:  Moderate  to  hard  rain.  — November  8(i :  Very  hard  rain. — November  87:  Light  rain. —November  88  :  Very 
hard  rain. — November  8'.l;  I'lirioiis  gale  fioin.  the  sinitheiist ;  dashing  rain.— November  lid:  Strong  gale  from  the 
Bouthoost ;  hard  rain  with  muuw. 

DECEMBER,  1880. 

Decombor  I :  Light  rain,  nnow,  and  sleet. — Docoinbor  3  :  Very  heavy  rain. — Docombor  4  :  Very  heavy  rain. — 
December  .'■>:  Light  rain. — December  (!:  Very  heavy  rain-fall. — December?:  Hard  rain. —  Decembers:  Hard  rain. — 
December  9:  Light  rain. — December  10:  Misty;  snow  on  the  moiiiitains. — December  U:  Very  gusty  gale  from  E.  to 
S. ;  niodenite  rain  with  sleet  si|ualls. — December  18:  Light  sleet,  snow  and  rain. — December  l;t ;  Wet  snow  fell 
lightly.— December  14  :  Light  sleet;  giisl  from  the  northeast. — December  1.1 :  Sleet  siiiialls;  very  heavy  sea  rnnning.— 
December  l(i;  Sleet  of  light  character,  very  moist. — December  17:  Light  rain. — Deoembor  18:  Hard  storm  from  the 
northeast;  violent  sea;  hard  rain  with  .snow.— December  1!»;  Violent  storm  from  the  northeast;  heavy  rain  with 
snow. — December  80:  (iiisty  north  wind  ;  nioilerate  snow  with  rain. — December  81  :  (.Justy  northwest  wind. — Decem- 
ber 88:  High  winds  backing  and  subsiding;  light  sleet  .iiinalls;  sea  violent. — Deeeiiiber  8:t :  Gale  from  tho  north- 
west ;  light  sleet  siiualls.  — December  81 :  High  gale  from  the  northwest  ;  sleet  and  snow. — December  8.') :  High  gusty 
gale  from  the  west  and  northwest ;  sleet  swirls  of  light  character. — December  80  :  High  gale  from  W.  toNW, ;  little 
snow  fell;  sea  raging  viohntly.— December  87:  High  gale  from  the  northwest. — December  88:  Northwest  gale  of 
gusty  character;  rain,  sleet,  hail,  and  snow  fell  of  lightest  character. — December  8!1:  Northwest  gale,  rather  gusty  ; 
hard  ruin  and  snow. — December  liO :  Heavy  rain;  snow  nearly  gone;  sea  going  down. — lioceinbcr  ;tl  :  Hard  rain; 
natives  report  an  enrthiiuakc  shock  as  having  occurred  at  or  about  8  a.  m.  of  night  before  last  (HOth);  a  slight  shock 
was  felt  at  7.85  p.  m. 

JANUARY,  1881. 

January  1:  Moderate  ruin  and  snow. — January  8:  Light  snow.— January  I!:  Air  full  of  frost  films. — .January  5: 
Territie  gusts  of  a  high  storm  rate  from  SW.  to  SE. ;  snow  drifted  furiously  from  the  mountain  tops. — January  6: 
Very  heavy  fall  of  frost  tiliiis  from  the  sky  ilnring  clear  weather;  not  a  cloud  in  the  sky  when  they  fell,  yet  the  air 
was  darkened  with  the  tiliiis. — January  7  :  (iusty  south  winds ;  snow  drifted  fnrionsly ;  sleet  later  in  the  day,  with 
heavy  gusts  of  wind. — January  8:  Kriglitful  gusts  of  a  high  storm  rate  from  S.  to  .SE. ;  heavy  dashes  of  rain. — Janu- 
ary 9:  Gusty  gale  from  8.  to  SK. ;  solar  halo;  moderate  snow. — January  10:  High  gale  from  8.  to  SW. ;  frei|Uoiit  hard 
snow  squalls. — January  11  :  Light  l'rei|ncnt  ilntl's  of  snow. — January  18:  (iiisly  gale  from  SW.  to  SE. ;  moderate  sleet 
and  snow. — January  13:  Gusty  8.  to  E.  winds;  moderate  snow  and  rain. — January  14:  Rain,  icy  sleet,  hail  fell  o' 
hard  character. — January  lo:  Heavy  snow;  light  gusty  gale  from  E.  to  NE. ;  light  snow  and  sleet. — January  16: 
Violent  snow  and  sleet  squalls;  sea  violent;  rain  fell  late  in  p.  m. — January  17:  Gale,  very  gusty  from  tho  north; 
sleet  and  snow  squalls;  lunar  corona. — January  18:  Gnstiness  from  N.  to  NW. :  tierce  snow  and  sleet  squalls;  slush 
forms  in  tho  bay. — .January  19:  Few  .-leet  pellets. — .January  80:  Temperature  l?"^,  lowest  up  to  date;  very  gusty  from 
the  northwest,  increased  to  a  hard  gale  ;  frofinent  sleet  and  snow  squalls;  ■snow  tlying  furiously. — January  21 :  Heavy 
fall  of  sleet  and  snow  ;  the  groniid  is  covered  to  a  depth  of  .'i  feet  with  sleet  and  snow.— .January  88  :  Galo  from  the 
northwest,  increased  to  storm  ;  snow  and  sleet  fell  heavily  ;  snow  drifted  furiously. — January  83:  Rain  and  snow;  the 
bay  is  covered  with  frozen  snow -slush,  a  very  unusual  occnrreiice ;  water-fowl  are  extremely  scarce. — January  S4 : 


1 


I 


0ONTRIBUTION8  TO  THK  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


49 


Moderate  rain  and  Hnow;  guity  xate  fVom  the  nortli.— January  Ki  Ouaty  gale  ttom  the  north;  light  rain. — January 
36 :  Mgbt  gale  late  In  p,  in.  from  tho  Hoiitli ;  rain  and  Hnow  fell  lightly.— January  37 :  tiard  rain  with  little  anow  ; 
hard  gale  rate  from  8K.  to  K. — January  3H :  QuHty  gale  from  tho  northcant ;  moderate  rain  with  snow. — January  39 : 
Ou§ty  gale  from  8.  to  NK. ;  hard  rain  with  nuow.— January  ;10  :  Heavy  sea  running.— January  :)1 :  Nativee  preparing 
to  go  olf  to  the  other  iNlaodH  to  hunt  Nea-ottera  ;  they  are  detained  by  the  severe  weather  of  this  entire  month  ;  late 
in  p.  ni.  they  started,  but  were  Hoon  compellud  to  gu  to  land ;  tho  hiiow  has  nearly  divappehred  from  the  low  ground*  ; 
all  kiudH  of  water-fowl  are  extremely  aoaroe,  and  froHh  food  is  not  attainable. 

FFBRUARY,  IHHl 

Kobrnary  1  :  Light  snow  and  sleet.— Febniary  3:  Deposit  of  front  on  various  objects;  hard  fi'eeze  ;  snow  of  light 
ohariictur  in  p.  m.— February  3:  Heavy  sea  running. — February  ti :  Light  snow  with  dritzling  rain. — February  7: 
OuMty  galo  from  the  Houth  ;  short,  hard  rain  ;  snow  drifted  violently  ;  lunar  corona. — February  H. — Violent  gusts  from 
tho  south;  quite  hard  freeze. — February  9:  Hard  gale,  increoHod  to  a  storm  rate  from  tho  northeast;  hard  rain  with 
anow. — February  10:  Light  rain,  with  snow  and  sieut  H(|uallB;  lunar  corona. — February  11:  Sea  very  rough. — February 
13:  Lunar  uoiona. — February  IH;  South  to  east  gale  ;  light  rain-fall.— Febrnory  14  :  High  gale  f^om  NE.  to  NW. ;  grass 
l>oginniug  to  poop  out.— February  L'i:  Moderate  snow  with  galo  from  tho  north. — February  10:  Qusty  gole  ftroni  the 
northwest;  flno  huow  fell. — February  17  :  Light  sklfts  of  snow  and  sieoi. — February  19;  Light  snow-fall. — February 
30:  Groat  gustinesH  of  wind  from  the  north  ;  misty. — February  31:  Hard  rain  ;  earthi|uakeat  7.16p.  m. ;  it  gave  quite 
a  wrench  to  tho  house;  undulations  from  K.  to  W. — February  33:  Light  gale  from  NE.  to  N. ;  moderate  rain ;  violent 
sea  running. — February  34  ;  Light  snow  foil. — February  3r) :  High  gusty  winds  from  8W.  to  NW. — February  36 :  Sleot 
and  snow  squalls. — February  37  :  Oale  from  S.  to  8W. ;  light  sleet  and  snow  fall. — February  38  :  Violent  snow  squalls, 
with  sleet;  during  this  month  tho  natives  have  made  several  ineftoctual  attempts  to  cross  tho  straits  between  this 
island  and  the  Someehi  Islatuls,  to  hunt  sea-otters  {Enhydrit  lutrts)  at  tho  latter  place ;  the  weather  has  not  been  so 
bad  during  the  month  of  February  for  several  years. 

MARCH,  IMl. 

March  1 :  Onsty  gale  from  the  south ;  light  snow-fall. — March  3 :  Heavy  snow-fall. — March  It :  Solar  halo. — March 
4 :  Moderate  snowfall. — March  6 :  Ousty  gnio  from  the  south ;  increased  to  high  storm  from  northeast ;  snow  drifted 
most  furiously,  a  gloomy  day;  the  very  earth  trembles  under  tho  shocks  received  from  the  force  of  the  surf  of  the 
violently  'iging  seo. — March  7  :  Violent  gusts  from  SW.  to  SE ;  snow  fell  and  drifted  furiously.— March  8:  Very 
gusty  from  SW.  to  SE.  ;  snow  fell  heavily  and  drifted. — March  9;  Sleet  and  snow  drifted  violently. — March  10:  Qusty 
galo  from  the  south  ;  sleot  and  snow  drifted  furiously. — March  U  :  Light  sleet  and  snow  squalls. — March  18:  Lowest 
temperature  (10°). — March  13 :  High  galo  from  E.  to  NW. ;  light  snow-fall. — March  14 :  Heovy  gole  outside  from  the 
northwest ;  snow  and  sleet  fell  lightly. — March  l.'i :  Hard  storm  from  the  north  ;  moderate  snow  with  little  sleot. — 
March  16 :  Ousty  gale  from  8.  to  SE. ;  snow  fell  late. — March  17  :  Violent  gale  from  SW.  to  E. ;  snow  of  moderate  charac- 
ter fell,  much  drifted ;  sea  in  terrible  commotion. — March  18 :  Strong  gale  from  N.  t«  NE.  ;  little  snow  fell. — March 
19:  Hani  storm  from  N.  to  NE. ;  violent  sea;  sleet  nud  snow  squalls. — March  30:  Oale  from  the  northeast ;  light 
snow. — March  81 :  Light  snow  skifts. — March  83:  Hard  gusts  from  NW.  to  8.  and  NE. ;  sleet  and  snow  of  moderate 
character. — March  33:  Severe  earthquake  at  7.04  p.  m, ;  began  as  gradual  settling  then  a  series  of  rapidly  successive 
vibrations  lasting  nineteen  seconds, — March  34:  Terrific  gale  from  the  southeast ;  snow  and  sleot  furiously  drifted. — 
March  35 :  Light  sleet  and  snow  with  great  gustiness  of  wind  from  8.  to  SE. — March  36 :  Large  tlakes  of  snow ;  light 
mist.— March  87:  Ousty  from  N.  to  NE. ;  misty. — March  38:  A'iolent  sea  running;  light  rain.— March  89:  A  light 
freeze  and  frost;  light  rain. — March  31:  Light  snow  changed  to  rain. 

APRIL,  1881. 

April  1 :  Violent  .'lurricane  from  SW.  to  SE. ;  dashing  rain  ;  all  the  snow  gone  from  the  lower  grounds ;  arrival 
of  wild  geese  {Branta  canadensis  hutchinsii);  several  snow-llakes  {Plictrophenax  nivalia)  were  soen  to-day;  they  are 
not  migratory  from  this  island ;  the  greater  number  of  these  birds  remain  throughout  the  winter  but  are  only  rarely 
seen  during  that  time  on  the  north  side  of  the  island. — April  3 :  Irregular  gale  from  SW.  to  S. ;  rain,  snow,  and  sleet 
fell  moderately ;  a  severe  earthquake  of  sufficient  force  to  awaken  tho  entire  viilp  ;e  "ccurred  at  3,15  a.  m. ;  several 
vibrations,  all  from  E.  to  W. — April  3  :  Moderate  snow  and  sleet ;  the  party  of  '  :  t<'  « (19)  return  from  the  Semechi 
Islands ;  they  had  but  poorest  success,  having  obtained  but  six  sea-otter  skins  wuc.o  lu  former  years  they  secured  over 
a  hundred. — April  4  ;  Gusty  gale  from  N.  to  8.  via  E. ;  sleot  and  snow  fell  lightly. — April  5 :  Hard  gale  from  8.  to  8E.  ; 
light  snow  with  rain, — April  6:  Gusty  galo  from  the  east. — April  8:  Gusty  gale  from  the  south. — April  d:  Low  gale 
from  tho  north ;  misty  in  p.  m.— April  10 :  Moderate  rain ;  I  loam  to-day,  that  swans  (0/or  columbianua)  were  in  alarge 
flock  ill  the  lake  near  the  head  of  Massacre  Bay  on  tho  soutb  side  of  this  island. — April  11 :  N.  to  E.  gale  ;  high  sea; 
moderate  rain. — April  13:  High  gale  from  the  northeast:  light  rain  with  little  sleet. — April  13 :  Northeast  gusty  gale ; 
very  high  sea  running. — April  15  :  Light  rain  with  snow. — April  16:  Hard  rain  with  snow;  variable  gale  from  the 
northeast. — April  17 :  Low  gale  from  the  north ;  hard  rain  with  snow.- April  18 :  Light  rain ;  gale  from  the  north. — 
April  19:  Heavy  snow-fall. — April  30:  Moderate  snow-fall. — April  83:  Strong  gale  from  tho  south. — April  34:  Bolar 
halo. — April  35:  Light  raiu. — April  86:  Light  snow-fall  with  rain. — April  87:  Light  rain-fall.  April  30:  Light  rain. 
S.  Mis.  155 7 


I 


60 


CONTBIBQTION8  TO  THE  NATURAL  HMTOBY  OF  ALASKA. 


MAY,  itm. 

M»y  5;  Quaty  frimi  8.  ;  llnht  r»iu,— May  6  ;  Krf<|ii«iit  Mi'  yen  j  frost  In  l»t«  p.  ni.— May  7  :  Terrlflc  gimtA  from 
8.  to  HE.  ;  froit  of  light  character ;  much  wet  hii:(w  ;  '"  „  *l  tliiieii.— May  H  :  llanl  showem ;  giiiity  gal*  from  8.  to 
NW.— May  9:  Wind  every  wher«,  bl<»wiiiK  a  gale  at  tiiiu'ii ;  rain  aiitl  wiiiw  fell  lightly.— May  10 :  Light  iinow.— May  11 : 
Frequent  raiDH  and  snow  ;  arrival  of  Htl^alnt<r  Dora  from  eastward.— May  13  :  Rain  and  wet  snow  nearly  entire  day  ; 
departure  of  Dorn ;  schooner  C/.ar  arrived  off  tlie  island  at  7.40  p.  in;  preparallons  to  leave  this  jiUoe.— May  lU: 
Cxar  came  to  anchor;  heard  that  word  had  lieen  sent  that  I  was  to  bo  relieved  of  duty  ;  preparation  for  departure 
to  Unalashliu  where  I  arrived  June  '2H.  Turned  over  all  (lovernnient  property  in  my  possession  to  8.  Applegate,  Ser- 
geant, Signal  Corpa,  U.  8.  Army,  on  July  •-',  IhmI  ;  leave  lor  Hun  Krancisco  on  July  fU,  1H«1 ;  arrive  in  Washington 
September  Ul,  1881. 

5ummary  of  meteorological  obiertationi  taken  atplacti  on  the  JleuUan  J$landi,  Alaeka. 

(Unsluhks  IsUnd  (Illallak  VillsK*).    UUtuds  Sir  W i  looRltnds  !««<>  88'.) 


Months. 


1>78-'T». 


September . 
October  .  ■ 
NoTMnber. . 
December .. 

Jsncsry 

February  . . 

Miirch 

April 


il 


0  a 

a 
I 


48.02 
40.77 
S3.  M 
85.13 
33.87 
28.26 
82.18 
33.07 


M  * 

9( 


a* 


'1 
I 


lis 

1^ 


3.  SB 
8.87 
8.78 
in.  03 
3.88 
1.35 
3.38 
2.83 


I 


I 


INaian  Bsy,  Atkbs  Island.    Latitude  53<>  IC  40" ;  longttnde  1T4<>  W  IS"  W.] 


?! 

r 


187». 
M»v* 

88.80 
43.  08 
4a  SO 
50.31 

65 
04 
85 

es 

30 
30 
38 
46 

4.49 
1.76 
4.36 
8.01 

1? 
1« 
20 

0 
0 
2 
0 

0 
3 
4 

0 

35 
38 
35 
28 

I 
8 
0 

J 

i 

• 

2 

7 

37 

7 

0 

«5 

47 
40 
40 

> 

0 

1« 

6 

13 
15 
18 
42 

82 
41 

58 
74 

28 
41 
6 
2 

It 
28 
M 
34 

Janet 

July 

Augastt •• 



[TJnalsablu  Island,  ninUak  yillsge.] 


f      . 


187»-'60. 

41.85 
37.83 
31.  36 
30.32 
20.33 
81.  37 
33.25 
33.83 
85.10 

51 
48 
36 
34 
39 
43 
46 
53 
52 

37 
24 
24 
23 
18 
37 
24 
35 
38 

0.37 
8.98 
6.JW 
3.68 
4.11 
3.30 
3.38 
1.18 
3.80 

2 
33 
23 
16 
30 
19 
35 
18 
10 

0 
0 
0 

1 
1 
0 
1 
0 
0 

s 

0 
4 

0 

1 
1 

4 

0 

14 
31 
31 
26 
30 
28 
3» 
37 
38 

10 
46 
9 
3 
28 
11 
12 
21 
14 

10 
18 

9 
14 

6 

» 
31 

4 
38 

0 

4 
0 
0 
S3 
S 
1 
7 
0 

29 
20 
89 
42 
47 
44 
61 
66 
41 

5 
3 
7 
4 
16 
18 
9 
10 
2 

22 
22 
53 
30 
38 
33 

7 
11 

8 

8 
53 
54 

2^ 
50 
63 
89 
14 

0 
38 
13 
111 
15 
23 

4 
18 
68 

14 
13 
37 
17 
16 
II 
38 
32 
26 

October     

8,111 
7.688 
8,799 
7,213 
9,611 
7  761 

December 

Uarch... 

April 

8,983 
6,960 

fiSyl .....-!. 



(Cbiohagof  Harbor,  Altn  Island.    Latitude  63°  55'  43":  longitude  184°  47'.] 


188fr-'81. 


JnlyH    

August  ... 
September . 
Octiiber.  ... 
Ifovember.. 
December . . 
January.... 
Febrnarr... 

March 

AprUH 

May 


20.794 
39. 659 
29.887 
29.887 
29.536 
39.  520 
39.375 
29.6.18 
29.598 
29.737 


30. 152 
30. 113 
3U.22Z 
30.466 
30.  188 
30.  344 
30.311 
30.343 
30.134 
80. 703 


I  29.497 
29.096 
20.179 
28.  922 
28.  771 
28.  7,'^4 
28.  74« 
28.  926 
28.  638 
28.  830 


53. 35 
51.56 
47.75 
41.12 
35.45 
33.91 
81.17 
31.95 
39.03 
30.70 
30.55 


0 
4.63 
4.06  i 
8.01  I 
6.46 
6.52  ' 
5.10  ! 
2.01 
2.43 
2.16  I 
1.30 


3  8 

23  40 

18  {  24 

27  I  65 

26  !  74 

30  I  36 

24  '  27 
8  '  20  '  81 
7  23  I  49 
3  !  27  I  36 
1  i  12  I  6 

! 


924 
5,184 
6,408 
4,773 
7,734 
14, 474 
9,033 
7,781 
10,658 
10,922 
3,597 


'First  twenty  .eight  days  of  the  month, 
t  Lost  twenly-flve  days  of  the  month. 


t  First  twenty-nine  davs  of  the  month. 
S  Last  fourteen  days  of  the  month. 


II  Last  ten  days  of  the  month. 

T  First  thirteen  days  of  the  month. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUKAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


51 


l^fltorctogieal  ohttrtaUon*  at  IHuUuk,  Vnalathlca,  lH-2r>  lo  1834,  old  ilyle. 
(Utltud*  68°  ti',7 1  loogltud*  1M°  IS*.!.    ObMrrkUoai  of  tb*  buonMUr,  ruduuwl  to  H"  Kuamut  tS°.S  fkbraabolt.) 


TMIt. 

J-atuttj. 

Febnurjr. 

Mareh. 

.April. 

Uu. 

11  Id. 

Ufa. 

Max. 

Mln. 

MeMi. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Mean. 

Max. 

MIo. 

Mean. 

im  

80.00 
20.  BO 
80.04 
30.04 
20.73 
20.00 
80.14 
80  33 

as.w 

80.20 

3H.49 
28.68 
88.40 
28.77 
3H.  ao 
W.VJ 

28.  30 

29.  08 
28.40 
38.00 

28.041 
20.030 
29.3IM 
39.47 
29.  29 
29.4IU 
29.  807 
29.  748 
39.  U3U 
39.S79 

29.  61 
M.  19 
29.97 

29.  84 
28.69 

30.  :i8 
3U.0B 
30.  -(6 
80.08 

:io.39 

3a  43 
39.49 
2a  49 
38.36 
2a  66 
2a  87 
2a  27 
29.  07 

2a  h: 

2a  49 

2a  983 

29.688 

29.297 

29  17 

20.20 

29.  .602 

29.  1117 

29.697 

29.246 

29.509 

20.71 
20.94 
.10.  01 
30.08 
29.98 
80.  I'i 
80.00 
30.11 
30.00 
30.20 

28.19 
28  49 
28.77 
2a  73 
28.61 
2a  98 
2a  16 
29.28 
28.60 
29.17 

2a  968 
29.  243 
20.320 
29.43 
29.08 
29.  639 
20.  309  1 

20.88 
80.02 
30.04 
30.74 
39.84 
30.20 
80.03 

20.84 

2a  50 
2a  70 

38.08 
2a  44 
2a  78 
2a  00 

2a  08 
2a  60 
2a  70 

20.241 

|m5         

29.  210 

inr 

30.414 

810 

Ill 

30.83 
20.66 
20.300 
20.  Ml 

■D  

20.  778       30.  97 
20.303       30.11 
29.  860       29.  90 

29.633 

m :""::;;::.!";;";;... 

29.673 

8M 

29.439 

M 

UaMi* . 

30  08 

28.00 

20.  817 

30.03 

28. 

29.341  1    80.03 

28.67 

20.410  1    80. 03 

2a  73  i        30.  420 

2a  27 

80.20 

38.20 

80.89 

80.20 

2a  16 

1 

80.24 

2a  44 

i 

H».y. 

June. 

July. 

Aognit 

Tmti. 

Hm. 

MIn. 

Meu. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Mean. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Mean. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Mean. 

1115      

29.00 
20.03 

2a  OS 

20.  O'J 

29.410 
29.498 

20.79 
20.  89 

2a  88 
29.04 

29.364 
29. 401 

29.81 
29..78 

28.08 
28.09 

29.601 
29.  447 

20.80 
20.  8S 

28.75 
20.31 

20.400 

IIM 

20.66) 

19ST  

:' 

|gS9         

30.00 
80.11 
30.01 
20.00 
30.88 
30.80 
80.00 

38.94 

28.80 

28.02 

28.90' 

29.04 

20.17 

20.44 

29.  SO 
29.4:l 
29.  .lUS 

29.ssg 

29.500 
29.  SI8 
20.713 

20.78 

29.  89 
29.80 

30.  10 
29.89 

28  00 
29.  06 
28.87 
29.  13 
29.23 

29.44 
29.  66 
29.  642 

20.82 
20.78 
30.  03 

)  18 

29.60 
^9.  678 

30.66 
:io.  22 

20.20 
29.  09 

28.  96 

29.  OS 
29.00 
29.11 

20.66 

20.99 
20.04 
29.  13 
29. 05 
29.  16 

20.518 

]g30            

29.663  1     29.87 
'9.671  1     29.93 
.  9.  686        20.  96 
'9.712       30.04 

20.  467 

JB3J                 

29.  642       3U.  U4 
29.  604       30.  05 

29.493 

29.  61 1 

"t 

30.00 

29.011 

1^^                 

29.99 

|7 

29.S28 

:u.04 

1 

He»Qii 

20.  OS 

20.02 

20.404 

29.80 

20.620       39.91 

29.09 

29. 688  :    29. 97  { 

30.04 

29.637 

II 

80.11 

2a  80 

80. 

2a  87. 

80.06 

j 

80.22 

28.76 

1... 

1 

September. 

Uotobor. 

NoTember. 

December. 

Yearly 

Hu. 

Mln. 

Mean. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Mean. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Mean. 

Max. 

Mean, 

Mln. 

meant. 

18J1J  1 

20.84 
20.64 

2a  74 
28.41 

29.400 
29.100 

29.87 
29.70 
29.  8S 

29.  82 
:io.  0.1 

30.  OS 
3U  04 
3U.01 
20.85 

28.17 
28.16 

29.202 
29. 105 

29.76 
20. 70 
30.08 
2I».  86 
30.31 
'.'U.  93 
20.  91 
29  82 
20.03 

28.31 

28.07 

20.005 

28  991 

*29  290 

IgU 1 

30.14 
30.28 
30.38 
30.23 
20.02 
29.  55 
30.32 
30.22 

28  60 
2a  87 
2a  71 
2a  88 
2a  07 
28.11 

2a  04 
2a  07 

29.S63 
29.66 
29.  aj 
29.700 
29.328 
2a  892 
29.428 
29.392 

29.318 

1117 

29.01     29.23 
2a  46     29. 16 
28.  87      29.  .121 

28.  00      29.  44 
28.  66      20.  20 
23.  57      29.  lUtn 

129  373 

1888 1 

39.77 
39.70 
30.  IS 
30.  (10 
20.80 
20.82 

28.74 
28.,^ 
1'8.  .M 
•.'8.  95 
28.00 
26.40 

20.41 
29.161 
20.  402 
29. 176 

29  ran 

29.2B9 

29.48 

1829 ' 

29.438 

1830 

1831 

1833 

I8SS 1 

1834 ' 

2a  94 
i».  69 
2a  45 
2a  51 



29.  SIS 
20.  -^O 
29.  .'130 
29.  019 

2a  05 
2a  31 
2a  46 
2a  66 

29.  076 
29.642 
29.214 
29  388 

29.460 
29.397 
20.  ,673 
29.308 
{29.029 

\ 

Mmds 

39.87 

2a  60 

29.307 

29.90 

2a  57 

20.319 

29.88 

28.39 

29.287 

30.13 

28.67 

29.476  i 

BlKbest  and  lowest 

30.  IS 

2a  41 

30.  OB 

2a  IS 

30.31 

28.06 

30.38 

2a  07 

*  Mean  for  eleven  months. 


t  Moan  for  neTcn  niontbs. 


*  Mean  for  ittx  months. 


NoTB.— The  barometer  by  which  the  above  obHervatiims  were  made  U  marked  Benjamin  D4  XV  and  woe  compared  In  1827  with  the 

barometer  of  the  discovery  veesel  SenlaTin  under ,  and  found  to  read  0.3*2  inch  lower  ;  therefore  all  these  observations  must  be  tncreued 

by  that  amount. 

The  mean  of  all  the  above  observations,  nine  ftall  years,  la  29.421  Inches,  the  highest  observed  reading  in  the  above  time  was  80. 89 
Inohes  and  the  lowest  26. 05  Inches. 


warn 


62 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


Mettttrological  obeenatioi'ii  at  IHaUuk,  Unalathka,  1827-1834. 
(Tempentun  oburvkUoDi  from  1828  to  1834,  old  style.  1 


Jantaj. 

Febniary. 

Marob. 

Tmt. 

A.M. 

Nifon. 

P.M. 

ye»n. 

Obaarred. 

.  P.M. 

Mean. 

Obaerred. 

A.M. 

Mean. 

Obaerved. 

Mai. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Mln. 

40.8 

28.6 

21.80 

28.08 

26.60 

30.86 

30.31 

82.8 
31.1 
28.4 

81.8 
82  8 

1R20 

1830 

20.6 
28.2 
25.2 
29.8 
29.6 

23.8  :  19.8 
80. 5  !  2&  1 
80.3  ,  24.3 
33.2     29.6 
m.t     30.1 

89.9 

2.7 

26.  i  >  38. 0 

26.1 

44.4 

47.7 
48.8 

—0.6 

17.1 

24  8      17. 9 

ID.  D 

45.5 
42.6 
63.5 

0.5 

1831 

1832 

41.0 
41.0 
40.3 
39.4 

..6  1  26.8  j  20.4 
7. 2     34. 0     36. 9 
18.6      32.6  1  35.8 
16.2     31.8  i  30.6 

39. 1       27.  41 
38.  2       34.  77 

10.  2  ;  26.  8     no.  9  [  24.  6       27.  43 
26.  2  !  S3.  8     37.  8     32.  3       84.  65 

7.2 
18.6 

32.  2       33.  49  i  42.  1 
30.0       33. 10     46.6 

18.  6  '  30.  2     36.  0     28.  9       .32. 00  ;  68. 4 
20.7:29.7     3(1.4     28.4       31. 63  |  48. 4 

18,6 

1834        

16.1 

26.66  80.02 

1 

12 

Ueans.. 

2&08I     29.66 

40.32.  10.82   30.18^  34.3 

1        i        ! 

t   20.7       31.68     45. 

:   .8  1  27.64  83..36;  26.4       28.03  i  61.66 

1            '            i            ,               1 

12.18 

1         !         1 

Ap^il. 

May. 

Jnoe. 

Tmt. 

Noon. 

P.M. 

Mean. 

ObMrred. 

A.M 

Noon 

.P.M. 

Mean. 

Obierred. 

A.M. 

NooD. 

P.M. 

Mean. 

Obaerred. 

- 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Mln. 

|Max. 

Mln. 

1838                   

86.7. 

33.8 

37.6 

33.21 

36.66 

30.81 

36.38 

41.2 
41.2 
40.0 

46.8 



46.8 

36.9 

40.8 

84.8 
29.8 
■M.  4 
34.4 
33.6 

60.7  i  20.7 
46.2     16.2 
47.7     25.9 
47. 7     18. 6 
53.4  1  26.4 

;  30.5 
37.2 
46.3 
43.2 
40.6 

42.6 

97.3 

1  65.8 

32.7 
27.6 
32.7 
36.  6 
31.3 

46.7 
46.0 
47.2 
46.7 

40.  ,i 
48.1 
60.4 
48.2 

42.3 

44.8 

M  7 

1831 

1832                  .... 

81. 
36.. 

r  i  88.2 

1      39. 3 

1  1  au.  3 

41.  0  i  36.  G 
46.  1      38.  n 

37.  04     62.  2 

42  .Ml      Bl   -i 

42.0  !    46.02  ;  57.9 
46. 4  1     47. 64  [  66.  9 
43.  2       46. 21     66.  n 

84.2 
42  i 

1833               

36. 

46.2     40.6       43.0       61.2 
49.  3     39. 0       43.  0    i  68.  3 

43.2 

34.2  {  38.3 



Means     .  ..... 

3&18 

39.18 

33.  38 

86.72 

49.14|  23.34 

41.1 

1  44.72  38. 23|    41.28     67.70;  32.141  46  IV)!  48  96 

43. 32     46. 21 

If!    1 

38  05 

i            1                           1 

1 

1               1 

Jaly. 

Anguat. 

September. 

Tmt. 

A.M. 

Koon. 

P.M. 

Mean. 

Obaerred. 

A.M 

1 

Noon.  1  P.M.    Mcun. 

Obaerred. 

Mean. 

Obaorred. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Mln. 

60.9 
60.3 

'67.(1 

::::::  ■"::  !:.;;::j::;:;:i  56.7 

4,3.2     47.6  I  61.7     46.4  |     48.  T- 

1 

46.9 

49.6 
60.4 
46.6 

68.  •< 
66.0 
48.2 
64.5 

47.5 
47.0 
43.8 
40.  C 

64.8     38.' 3      46.'3 

48  6     43.8 

45.  7 

66.9 
60.0 
62.2 

.30.9 

1880 ... 

.'>0.4       71.4 
46.  19  '  64.  0 
61. 66     70. 2 
54. 17      76.  3 

42. 1     63.8  1  6..  9  !  50.3  1    63.7       77. 0     43. 0     42.  5  '  46. 1     42.3       43.3 
30.4      46.6  !  .'il.3  !  44.4  1     47.46      Ul.  2     4U.  3      39.9      4.'l.  1      37.0       4(1.32 

28.0 

1832    

61.4 

43.  2      03.  6  '  68.  4      52.  6  <     64.  80      77.  0     42.  1  :  40.  1 

4.'>.  5     40.  1  i     41.80 
47.  0  .  43.  4        44.  87 

60.  0  '  '^R~  H 

1833 

63.9 

57. .'      '•!.  1 

44.8     40.  H 

63. 8     47. 0       50. 20     73. 6     88. 1     43. 2 

54.5 

32.  U 

1834 

1* 

1 

Mawi.. 

50 

63.46|47.68|    50.60 

70.06 

42.54  50.3 

54.4 

!   48. 12     61.  91  i  70.  68!  40.  64i  42.  22'  46.  22 

41.40     43.66 

64.48 

29.88 

1 

1    i   . 

Oetober. 

NoTamlNir. 

December. 

YMr. 

A.U.  I 

^oon. 

P.M. 

M«an. 

Obaurved. 

>Ioon. 

P.M. 

Mean. 

36.6 

31.8 

34.2 

29.7 

32.76 

34.13 

27.90 

Observeil. 

Mi«n. 

85.4 

2.1.0 

28.40 

26.20 

30.66 

,in.  26 

27.30 

Obsenrsd. 

Yearly 

inennH. 

Max. 

MIn. 

Max. 

Mln. 

Max. 

Mio. 

.827 

'.',''." 

35.8 

88.6 

38.3 

36.7 

36.05 

35.60 

36.07 

1 

' 

^8.  O.'! 

1828 

1880 

Ittl 

1882 

1888 

1884 

87.6 
86.9 
35.1 
84.1 
•M.7 

40.6 
88.3 
38.7 
87.8 
39.2 

i 

1 
! 

17.0 
16.0 
1.4 
16.1 
U.3 

64.6 
46.6 
46.6 
48.9 
48.0 

36.8     38.3 
24.6     38.7 

28.0  32.0 

24. 1  I  33.  5 

-•0.  8     28.  3 

36.5 
81.9 
34.  6 
36.  S 
31.4 

32.8  1 

28.0 

31.8 

33.7 

26.8 

64.6 
43.8 
38.8 
47.7  ' 
87.2 

18.6 
14.7 
18.6 
26.4 
6.  1 

28.0     3!.  6 
24. a     27. 1 
20.  0     32.  8 
28.3     31.3 
20.7     29.0 

27.9 
23.7 
20.3 
30.1 
26.1 

46.  6  1  12.  0 
4tl       7.0 
38. 9      12. 9 
46.  6     18.  6 
38.7       6.0 

.16.41 
3.1.  61 
36.46 
3K62 
37.78 

35.48 

.  .. 

i 

Heui.... 

98.86 

i 

16.86 

86.72 

48.88J 

23.86 

30.74 

38.82 

30.64 

32.44 

.•<.6)l 

17.06  27.04  30.84  27.42     29.08 

42.  m 

11.8 

37.88 

CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


53 


Ob$«natiofu  for  direction  of  toind  at  lUuUuk,  UnaUuhka,  for  IS25,  l»i'J,  I8i7,'  1838,  1839,1  1830,  1631, 1833,  1833,  1834, 

old  ityle. 


Uonthi. 

Diroetloo. 

North. 

KortbOMt 

BMt. 

SonthOMt. 

Sonth. 

88 
74 
84 
81 
68 
89 
94 
76 
55 
55 
57 
60 

266 

SouthwMt 

WMt 

Kortl.wMt. 

Oalmi  Mid 
hlKh  kin. 

•Ttnaary 

130 
58 
81 
53 
40 
34 
21 
37 
67 
52 
68 

139 

196 

22 
20 
16 
82 
42 
88 
23 
16 
19 
13 
18 
20 

113 

52 
81 
48 
63 
78 
56 
17 
15 
28 
29 
87 
47 

219 

74 
66 

83 
81 
76 
84 
72 
74 
88 
54 
57 
39 

242 

39 
46 

U 
87 
63 
77 
130 
86 
82 
94 
69 
62 

143 

49 
48 
83 
79 
87 
41 
7S 
101 
114 
93 
122 
66 

144 

60 
62 
•8 
67 
81 
47 
33 
64 
63 

107 
73 

114 

164 

188 
148 

81 

Anril 

90 

Mliy 

113 
130 

July 

August 

141 
176 

149 

156 

133 

Drmmbur 

Il«pinit«  obwrTntionii  in  1827, 
1828,  anil  1829 

184 
64S 

Xotal 

966 

401 

767 

1,060 

1,137 

1,033 

1,0m 

1,003 

3,331 

*  Jannnry,  Fitbrnary,  Uaroh,  April,  Ootobor,  November,  Deoembor.        t  Kirat  six  month*.    In  thin  time  about  160  oburTations  lout. 
ObiervatioHi  for  tht  force  of  wind  at  IliuHuk,  UnaUuhka,  for  »9i)i!ii  'jeiiri,  betweep  1825  and  1834,  old  ttyle. 


Months. 


Janunry... 
February  . 

March 

Apri! 

May 

June 

July 

Atignnt  ... 
8*'Tttember 
Oc'lcjVr  ... 
November 
December.. 

ToUl 


Three  obnervattona  each  dav. 

NoTI.— On  the  17th  of  March  and  29th  of  October,  1833,  tlie  wiiiil  vrna  extmordiuarily  atmnK. 


Form. 

Light. 

Moderate. 

Freah. 
69 

strong. , 

Very 
etrong. 

286 

137 

41 

12 

237 

114 

68 

36 

366 

167 

80 

46 

260 

167 

95 

S3 

273 

187 

66 

31 

330 

113 

a 

9 

870 

104 

63 

13 

S65 

148 

48 

» 

30« 

131 

86 

46 

30B 

133 

T> 

48 

134 

116 

77 

84 

317 

116 

82 

78 

2,980 

1,634 

tao 

427 

66 

Obtfrraliont  of  the  tceatber  at  IliuHuk,  Vnalaiihka,  fomeren  nei.iH,  \»i:>,  l»iG,  18-a,"  IKiO,  tStl,  IH;W,  183:1,  l«M',old  ityle- 


Mentha. 


Janaary... 
February  . 

Ma'-oh 

Anrll 

May 

June 

July 

AuKUni  ... 
.'^pi*'nil»ev 
ilotolwr  . .. 
.Voverober. 
Dccem'^er 

Total 


Clianice- 
able. 


Oluudy. 


58 ; 

69 

76 

:o 

81 
85 
77 
77 
73 

ni 

90 
112 


lUln. 


68 
51 
61 
91 
106 
88 
76 
113 
148 
113 
M 
47 


Snow. 


118 

84 

114 

86 

31 

4 

0 

3 

39 

90 

126 

132 


y«r. 


Total  tbnn.  Total  earth - 
deratorma.     quake  a. 


1,016  866  I 


398 


*  l*art  of  each  of  tlieae  yonra.    '^hrre  obaervationa  each  day. 
Thnnder-ntormi  and  earihqunkct  noted  in  the  above  period. 


Tear. 


1826 

1836 

1880 

1831 

1333 

1833 

1839  and  1BS4 

Total. 


Thunder- 
•tonn*. 


lUrth- 
qaakw. 


17 


33 


OONTRIBITTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


JoHmal  of  meitorologieal  ohtervationt  at  the  village  of  IHuliuk,  itland  of  Unalathka,  from  October,  1866,  to  Jpril,  1667,  ty 
tk«  Bev,  InnooeHt  Shyathnikof,  prie$t  of  the  Unala$hlia  district. 


ti  " 


Tims. 

Hoon. 

n 

1 

f 

Direction   and  force  of  the 
wind. 

Weather. 

ie«6. 
Oot      29 

8a.  m 

0 

40 
60 
42 
40 
48 
46 
40 
4S 
41 
4C 
42 
3S 
Sg 
40 
38 
M 
38 
40 
40 
44 
41 
89 
88 
33 
33 
39 
3« 
30 
38 
SO 
2« 

39 
44 

38 
33 
44 

20 
35 
41 
29 
28 
33 
28 
26 
37 
36 
34 
35 
32 
28 
36 
33 
27 
41 
32 
32 
39 
32 
38 
40 
40 
41 
42 
38 
40 
41 
38 
39 
42 
89 
3^ 
'.i 
41 
37 
42 
41 
39 
40 
35 
35 
42 
35 
30 
34 
80 
S9 
40 

o 

"44.0" 

"44.'7" 

■■4L3" 

NW.,  moderate 

WNW.,  moderate 

Snnsliine  and  otonded. 

Noon 

Sky  interohaoging  the  whole  day. 

fin.  m 

do 

30 

S8W.,  )lKht 

SSE.,  ino<leratD 

8SW.,  moderate 

....  do 

WSW.,  moderate 

do 

WSW.,  fresh 

Noon 

Sky  interchanclng. 
Overcast  or  gloomy. 
Clear. 

31 

8  a.  m 

Noon 

8p.  m 

Cloady  and  at  timea  rain. 

Not.      1 

Sunshine  and  clear  all  day,  but  in  the  evening  rain, 

do 

8d.  m 

40.3 

do 

2 

Sunshine  and  clear,  bnt  at  time*  a  wet  anew  fUllng. 

Noon 

do 

38.0 

■38. 6" ■ 
■'ii.'?' 

"'36.'7" 

"k'o" 

do 

3 

8  a.  m 

B.,  Tery  strong     

Overcast  or  gloomy,  and  much  wet  snow  and  atrong  rata. 

Noon 

8  D.  m 

88 W.,  moderate'. 

Clear  and  at  times  rain. 

4 

8a.  m 

8SE.,  fresh 

Noon 

8n.  m - 

do 

Clear  and  siiushine,  with  showers. 
Overcast,  wet  snow. 

6 

8a.  m 

WNW.,  fresh 

NW.,  very  strong 

do 

Noon 

Overcast,  hail. 

Do. 

0 

Sunshine  and  at  times  hail,  clear,  and  oloaded. 

Noon 

SW., moderate 

SSE.,  light  

NW.,  niodirate 

do 

B  i".  m 

Overcast  and  fine  snow. 

7 

8  a.  m 

Siinrthinc,  at  times  snow. 

8d.  ni .... 

32.7 

do 

NW.,  moderate 

OvercKst,  at  times  snow 

e 

Noon 

36.0 
'40.'3" 

KSK., fresh 

IToon 

WSW.,  ll»ht 

Clear  and  snnshiue,  withont  clouds. 

saw.,  light 

10 

8  a.  m 

do 

Do. 

■  "36.'3' ' 

NNE, light 

Do. 

8n.  m 

do 

Do. 

11 

do 

Cloudv  and  at  times  snow                      * 

UToon 

do 

8p  m 

35.0 

do 

Clear  and  without  clouds. 

do 

Do. 

Ifoon 

do 

Clear,  sunshine,  and  without  clouds 

28.3 

do 

h 

NNE.,  fresh 

Do. 

Noon 

do 

Do. 

8  p.  m 

36.3 
' '33.  7' 

"szi" 

do 

Do. 

....  do 

Do. 

....     do 

NNW.,fresh 

N  W.,  moderate 

WNW.,  moderate 

Clear  and  variable. 

Cloudy  and  occasional  snow. 
Do. 

Do. 

NMJ.,  light 

do .. 

NNW.,  fresh 

Do 

CloL'dy  and  ccoaiiiuna'  snow. 

17 

NNE.,  moderate 

do 

Noon 

34.3 

'46.3' 
"so."?' 

'■40.'o" 

do 

Do 

Gloomy  and  at  times  snow. 

ESE.,  very  fresh 

.  ..do    

Do. 

do 

Do 

Do. 

20 

8  a.  m 

E.  fresh 

Do 

ENE.  fresh 

Do 

NNE.,  very  fresh 

NE.  moderate 

Cloudy  and  at  times  n.in. 

21 

8  a.  m 

ENE.,  moderate 

do 

Do. 

Cloudy  and  at  times  rain. 
Clouily. 

.     .  .do    

38.3 
'  '46.0' 

23 

8  Ik.  m 

NE.   moderate 

Do. 

do 

Do. 

do 

Do. 

24 

NNE.,  lli'ht 

do 

Do. 

38.0 

Do 

Cloudv. 

do 

37.3 

20 

NW.,  fresh 

Cloudv  and  at  timea  snow. 

Noon 

do 

8d.  m.. 

81.3 

lo 

Cloudv  and  at  times  snow. 

17 

WNW.,  moderate 

D". 

NOOD 

NNB.,ilght 

Clear  and  wltbont  oloodi. 

i   I' 


OONTBIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


55 


Journal  of  meteorohgioal  obiervationn,  <f'C. — Continued. 


Time. 

Honn. 

i 
1 

>> 

Direction  and  force  of  the 
wind. 

WfAMin. 

laai. 

Not.    27 

0 

34 
34 
38 
36 
26 
35 
34 
31 
31 
29 
20 
28 
25 
24 
24 
25 
20 
3t 
25 
21 
30 
24 
24 
28 
28 
32 
39 
39 
39 
40 

40 
39 
33 
3li 
36 
38 
42 
40 
39 
40 
38 
36 
44 
33 
37 
41 
38 
35 
39 
35 
37 
38 
38 
39 
43 
41 
36 
30 
3>i 
36 
39 
35 
35 
39 
37 
34 
39 
36 
31 
30 
26 
26 
29 
84 
30 
37 
34 
30 
,35 
26 
25 
35 
35 
37 
42 
37 
34 

0 

34.3 
"36.6" 

ENE.   fresh 

Overcast,  enow. 

Do. 

Do. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  hailing. 
Clear  and  sunshine. 
Overcast,  snow. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 

Do. 
Clear,  clonds. 

Do. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 
Glminiy  and  thick  snow. 
Gloomy  and  at  times  snow. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 

D? 

r,i. 

Clear  lud  sunshine, 
rinudy  and  think  snow. 
L'louo  V'  and  at  times  snow. 

Do. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 
Clear  and  variable. 

Do. 
Cloudy  and  ponrlng  rains. 

Cloudy,  rain,  and  snow. 
Cloudy  and  rain, 
Ovircast,  riiiu,  and  snow, 
'loudy  nod  at  times  r»ln. 

Clear  and  variable. 

Do. 

Do. 
Clear,  sunshine. 

Do. 
Cloudy. 
Overcast  and  much  rain. 

Do. 
Cloudy  and  fine  rain 
Clou  ly  and  at  times  rain. 
CloudV  and  heavy  rains. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  rain. 

Do, 

Do, 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Cloudy. 
Hunshiue  and  at  times  rftln. 

Do. 
Dftrk  and  tint,  rain. 
Clouil\   [lid  w,'t  snow, 
CliMirt  V  ;iiid  at  1  imes  rain. 
c\o    ^^  anil  liiBvy rain. 

!)0. 

Do, 
Cloudy  aid  thick  snow. 
Clear  8L"    iinshine. 
Ciondy  ami  at  times  rain. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Cloudy  and  heavy  snn  " 
Fog  and  line  snow. 
Cloudy. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  rain. 

Do. 

Do. 
CI    iily. 

Cloiidv  and  at  times  snow. 
Cloudy. 

Do. 
Dark,  pouring  rains. 

Do. 
(>lear  and  no  clonds. 
Clear  and  suushine. 
Cloudy. 

Clear  and  without  clouds. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 

Do. 
(Mrar,  siinsbine,  clouds. 
Cloudy. 
Dark,  rain. 

Do. 
Dark  and  wet  snow. 

Do. 

NE.,  fresh 

Noon  

NB.   moderate 

8n,  m 

NNE.,  fresh 

Calm 

do 

20 

8  a.  m 

81.7 

NNE.,  fresh 

30 

g  0.  m 

Noon 

Dec.      1 

8  p.  m 

30.3 

8  p.  m 

27.!. 

Dm.      3 

Noon.-.. 

24.3 

3 

'28.8 

4 

8  ft.  m 

Noon 

8  n.  m  ...... ...... 

25.0 

5 

8ft.  m 

8D.ni 

26.6 

c 

8  ft.ni 

Noon 

.......    .............................. 

8  n.  m 

3^6 
39.0' 

7 

Noon 

NNE.,  light 

gF-n. 

g 

Noon....*..  ........ 

do    

8  D.  m 

39.3 

SW., moderate 

do 

t 

Koon. >■•..• 

do    .. 

8d,iii 

34.6 
'46.' 6' 
'39.0" 

SE.,  fresh 

£N£.  very  fresh 

10 

8ft.  m 

do 

11 

6ft.  m 

SSW.   very  fresh 

Noon  

8W.,  verj  fresh 

12 

lio 

do 

Noon. 

37.6 

do 

do 

13 

8ft.  m 

Noon 

"38.6' 

do 

...  do 

14 

8b.  m 

do 

...      do 

8  p.  m 

15 

8ft.  m 

37.6 

E..  very  fresh  . .             

ENB.,  very  strong         ... 
ESE.,  very  fresh 

Noon 

8  p.  m 

16 

8ft.  m 

Noon 

.     do 

8  p.  m 

41.0 

"37.6' 


do 

NE.,  light 

Calm.. 

47 

8ft.  m 

Noon 

8p.  m 

S.SE  ..moderate 

do 

18 

8ft.  m 

Noon 

do    

36.6 

do 

Calm 

do 

19 

8ft.  m 

Noon 

37.0 


•26:6" 


"29.6' 
"33.  i" 

ENE.,  moderate 

8W.,  moderate    

SSW.,  moderate 

SSW.,  fresh 

N.,  fresh  

20 

8ft.  m 

Noon 

R  p.  m 

21 

8ft.m 

Noon 

ftp.  ni 

do" 

Calm 

22 

8ft.  m 

..i".  fresh 

23 

8ft.  m 

Noon 

NNE.,  moderate 

NNE., light 

EN«;.,  fresh 

NNE.,  fresh 

do       

8p.ni.. 

24 

Noon*. 

8  p.  m 

30.3 

NNE    Ilrzht 

25 

8ft.  m 

Noon 

do 

8p.  m 

31. « 

NNE.    fresh 

M 

8a.  m.. 

Noon 

8p.  ni 

do 

« 

88.6 

NNE.  very  fresh. 

8».m 

do 

*Me*n  teraperatnre  for  November,  36°.l.    Win  ,  NNB.    Bftin,  snow. 


\m. 


^m' 


m 


m 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


Journal  of  meteorological  ohiervationi,  j-o. — Continued. 


Tims. 


18(6. 
Dm.    37 


38 


I'       I 


■li 


'hi-'- 


,)     si 


3» 


18«T. 
Jan.      1 


Honn. 


Noon. 
8p.  m 
8».  m 
Noun. 
8p.  m 
8*.  m 
KooD. 
8p.  m 
8  a.  m 
Noon. 
8p.  m 
8a.  m 
Noon. 
8p.  m 

8a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8  a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

Bt;.  m 

Noon. 

Bp.  m 

Bam. 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8a.m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8  a.m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8H.m 

Noon. 

8p.m 

8a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8s.m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

6  a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8  a.  m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

Bam 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

Bam 

Noon. 

Bp.  m 

8a.m 

Noon. 

Bp.  m 

8a.m 

Noon. 

Bp.  m 

8a.m 

Noon 

Bp.  m 

8a.m 

Noon. 

Bp.  m 

8a.m 

Noon. 

8p.  m 

8a.m 

Noon. 


81 
30 
23 
31 
38 
3S 
39 


35 
36 
36 
36 
39 
36 
36 
37 
36 


35 
35 
38 
86 
34 
86 
32 
32 
33 
34 
83 


33 
37 
28 
27 
38 
36 
35 
36 
37 
34 
41 
43 
39 
32 
29 
26 
27 
28 
25 
24 
24 
30 
81 
28 
26 
30 
31 
25 
29 
26 
29 
36 
26 
19 
32 
28 
26 
38 
29 
31 
87 
29 
26 
84 
30 
34 
35 
33 
34 
34 


=3 


30.3 


30.0 

'37.' 6' 


35.6 


37.0 


S«.8 


38.3 


36.3 


38.3 


33.0 


32.6 


33.3 


36.0 


30.3 


26.3 


24.3 


29.6 


26.6 


31.0 


32.3 


34.0 


Direction  a  id  force  of  the 
wind. 


NNW.,  TetT  strong. 
NTS'.,  very  itrong  . . 

WNW.,  fresh 

do 

W.,  tteab 

WNW.,  freah 

do 

do 

NNK.,  light 

Calm 

KNE.,  raoderatt*  — 

ESE.,  moderate 

ESK.,  fresh 

rNB.,  fresh 


Weather. 


E,,  moderate 

ESE.,  moderate 

E.,  moderate 

S8E., light 

SSW.,  moderate 

.I'ISE.,  very  fresh j  Dark  and  fine  snow. 

S.,  fresh 1  Clondy  and  at  times  snow 


Dark  and  at  timea  snow. 

Dark  and  snow. 

Dark  and  at  timea  snow. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Clear  and  withoat  clouds. 
Clear  and  snnshlne. 
Clondy  and  at  times  rain. 

Do! 
Dark  and  wet  slow. 

Dark  and  heavy  rain. 
Clondy  and  at  times  rain. 
Dark  .ind  heavy  rain. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  rain. 
i>o. 


do 
BSW.,  moderate.... 

, do 

S.,  moderate 

NNE.,  very  fresh.., 

NNE.,  light.. , 

do 

NNE.,  fVesh 

NNE.,  iresh , 

do 

NN  W.,  moderate  . . 

N.,  veiy  fresh 

do 

NNE.,  very  strong. 

W.,  very  fresh 

VVSW.,  fresh 

SSW.,  fresh 

SSW.,  moderate  .... 

do 

8SW.,  light 

, do 

SSE.,  light 

ESE.,  light 

ENE.,  mode-'te 

NE..  mo<^-iat« 

NNE.,  aoderate  — 

dj 

, <  o 

N.,  freah 

do 

do 

N.,  very  fresh 

NNW.,  very  fresh.. 

do 

N.,  very  fresh 

NNW.,  very  fresh.. 

do 

N..  very  fresh 

NNE.,  ?resh 

do 

do 

do 

do 

NNW, ,  very  fresh  . 

N.,  fresh 

.  .  do , 

NNW.,  fresh 

NNW.,  moderate  .. 

N.,  moderate 

do 

NNE.,  light 

do 

Calm , 

do 

do 

do 

do , 

ENE.,  moderate... 

Calm  — . . . . . 

NNE.,  moderate 

do 

ENE.,  moderate 

NE., fresh 

do 

do 

NNE.,  moderate 

N.,ft«8h 


fto. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Dark  and  wet  snow. 

Do. 
Clear  and  sunshine. 
Cloudy. 

Dark  and  fine  snow. 
Clondy  and  dne  snow. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 
Cloudy. 

Dark  and  dne  snow. 
Dark  and  heavy. 
Dark  and  fine  snow. 
Dark  and  snow  at  times. 

Do. 
Cloudy  and  snow  at  times. 
Clear  and  sanshine. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 
Cloudy. 

Do. 

Do. 
Dark  and  snow. 
Dark  --■     dne  rain. 

T  o. 
Dark  ai.'<  rain. 
Dark  and  s<,-'>w. 

Do. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 

Do. 

Do. 
Clear  and  at  times  olondt. 

Do. 

Do. 
Clondy  and  at  times  snow. 

iJo. 

Do. 
Clear  and  sunshine. 
Cloudv. 

Do! 

Do. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 
Clear  and  at  times  oloudn. 

Do. 
Cloudy. 

Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 
Clear  and  sunshine. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 

Do. 
Clear  and  sunshine. 
Clear  and  at  times  clouds. 

Do. 
Clear  and  sunshine. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Clear  and  at  times  clouds. 

Do. 
Cloudy. 

Overcast  or  dark  and  flne  snow. 
Overcast  and  heavy  snow. 
Overcast  and  at  times  snow. 
Clear  and  clondy. 

Do. 


'Mean  temperature  for  .ueoember,  83°.87. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


57 


Journal  of  mtteorologieal  ohtervatUyM,  fe. — Contianed. 


Time. 


Honn. 


Sii 

§1 


e« 


=3 


Direction  and  force  of  the 
wind. 


Weather. 


1867. 
Jan.     it 
26 


31 
Feb.    '*{ 


9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
16 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 


8p.  m  . 

8ft.  m  . 

Noon. . 

8p.  m  . 

8  a.  m  . 

Noon  . 

8p.  m  . 

.^  a.  m  . 

Noon.. 

8p.  m  . 

8  B.m  . 

Noon.. 

8|>.  m 

8  A.  m  . 

Noon . . 

8p.  m  . 

8  a.  m  . 

Niinn. 

8p.  m  . 

8  n.m 

Noon.. 

8  p.  m 

8».  m  . 

Noon  . 

8  p.  m  . 

8a.m. 

Nnon.. 

8p.  m  . 

8A.m  . 

Noon. . 

8  p.  m  . 

8  a.  m  . 

Noon.. 

8p.  m  . 

8  a.m  . 

Noon.. 

8p.  m  . 

8a.m. 

Noon.. 

8p.  m  . 

8a.m. 

Noon  . 

8p.  m  . 

8  a  nt  . 

Noon.. 

8p.  m  . 

8a.m  . 
I  Noon.. 

8p.  m. 

8  a.  m  . 

Noon.. 
!  8  p.  m  . 
I  8a.m  . 
I  Noou  . . 

8p.  m  . 

8  a.  m    . 

Noon.  . 

8  p.  m  . 

8a.m 

Noon. 

8  p.  m  . . 

8am  . 

Noon . . . 

8p.  m 

8  a.  m  .. 

Noon. .. 

8  p.  m  . . 

8a.m.. 

Noon  .. 

8  p.  ni  . . 

8  a.  m  . . 

Niton. .. 

8  p.  ra  . . 

8  H.  Ill  . . 

Noon... 
8  p.  m  . 
8  H.  m  . 
N.ion... 
8  p.  m  . . 
8  a. in  . . 
Noon... 
8  p.  m  . . 
8  a  ni  . . 
Noon . . . 
8  p.  m  . . 
8am.. 
Noou... 
8  p.  m  . . 


28 

27 
33 
26 
26 
32 
26 
35 
3« 
36 
36 
38 
36 
36 
38 
36 
•M 
27 
21 
20 
22 
20 
16 
16 
13 
17 
20 
13 
16 
20 
17 
27 
31 
34 
30 
44 
33 
32 
49 
34 
30 
44 
33 


32 
36 
32 
36 
45 
36 
27 
28 
26 
29 
34 
36 
44 
45 
48 
40 
52 
42 
37 
37 
34 
26 
ii 
34 
34 
36' 
35 
34 
38 
29 
89 
44 
42 
44 
48 
38 
87 
44 

85 
36 
84 


30.3 


2a  3 
30.6' 
'38.'3' 


36.3 


26.6 
20.' 7' 
'ii.7' 


16.7 

ii'.i' 
'36.7 


35.7 
'38.3" 


35.0 
'38.6" 


33.3 


38.6 
'27.'o' 

33.6" 
'45.6' 


44.6 

'36  6' 


34.0 
'35.6' 


33.8 


41.6 
'43.3 


do 

NW, moderate 

WNW.,morti'rate.... 
NNW.,  moderate.... 

Calm 

\V.,  moderate  

do 

do 

SW.,  moderate 

Calm 

K.,fre«h 

do 

NE.,  very  Htronjf 

ENB..very  slrond  ... 

NE., fresh 

..  do 

N.,  Kale 

do 

do 

do 

NNW.,  fresh 

NW.,  fresh 

do 

do 

do 

do 

NNW..  fresh 

?^.,  very  fresh 

NNW.,  fresh 

do 

WNW.,  mmlerato.... 
KNE..  very  fresh  — 

do 

NE..  moderate 

Calm    

do 

do 

do 

...    do  

SSE.,  mo<1erat« 

8SW.,  moderate 

8 W,, modulate  

ESE.,  very  fresh 

S., fresh    

SW.,fie8h 

do.  

SSW.,  fresh 

do 

ESE.,  fresh 

SSE.,  moderate 

do 

Cnlm    

W.fW.,  very  strong. 

NW.,  fiesh 

NNW.,  fresh 

Calm  

do 

SW..  moderate 

S.,  miMlerato  

ilo 


do 

do 

do 

do 

SSW.,  frish 

SW.,  fivHh 

SSW,,  fresh    

Catiii 

ilo    

EVK.,  fiBsli 

BNE.,  viry  fivnh  . 
SW.,  very  fresh  ... 

do.: 

WNW  ,  fimh.  ... 
W\\V..  moderate. 
N.NE  .  model Htti... 

S.,  Iitwh    

do 

do 

do 

to , 

S.,  uKitlerate 

S  V     fnwl.   


WSW.,  iivsh 


.do  . 


86.0 


WS>V.,  iiiolerate. 
W..  mnder.ite  ... 
SW.,  flesh  


Clear  and  without  clouds. 
Cloudy. 

Clear  and  sunshine. 
Clear  aud  without  clonda. 
Clear  and  at  times  olonds. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 
Clear  and  at  times  clouds. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  snow. 

1)0. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 
Clomli'. 

Dark  and  wet  snow. 

Dark  and  fine  snow. 

Dark  and  at  times  rain. 

Dark  and  fine  snow. 

Cloudy. 

Cloudy  and  snow. 

Oloudv  and  at  time*  anow, 

60. 

Do. 

Do. 

1)1. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Cloudy 

Cloud}  and  at  times  anow. 
Clouilv. 

Dark  and  snow. 
Dark. 

Dark  and  snow. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 
Clear,  sunshine,  and  clonds. 
Clouilv  and  at  times  snow. 

Do. 

Do. 
Clear  and  at  times  clonda. 


Cloudy. 

Do! 
Do. 

Clear  without  clouds. 
Cloudv  anil  at  tiineii  rain. 
Cloudy  and  m  times  hail. 
l>(iTk  and  at  times  snow. 
Clear  mid  without  clouds. 

Do. 
('leni'.  Miiishino,  and  clouds. 
Cloudy. 
Dai'k  Hiid  wet  snow. 

Do. 

Do. 
Clear  and  at  times  cloudy. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 

Do. 
i;ioiidy. 

Dark  and  fine  anow. 
Cloudv. 

Do. 

Do. 
Clpikr  aud  dark  weather. 
Clear  and  without  clouds. 

Do. 
Clonily. 

Clear  aud  without  olouds. 
Chmdv  and  at  time*  mow. 

Do. 


S.  Mis.  155 8 


*Meau  tcmpuralure  for  JaanaTy,  81*^.66. 


58 


ii  i 


sfc  a 


•i  ' 


OONTRIBlTTIOIfS  TO  DHE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


Journal  of  meteorological  obiervationt,  fc. — Coutinned. 


Time. 

Honra. 

f 

DirectloD  and  force  of  tbe 
wind. 

Weather. 

1867. 
Feb.     24 

Ha.m 

0 

26 
25 
21 
26 
29 
17 
32 
35 
33 
39 
41 
35 
86 
40 
34 
35 
39 
32 
33 
4> 
28 
32 
45 
32 
32 
36 
32 
«5 
43 
3C 
37 
39 
35 
39 
41 
29 
35 
37 
35 
38 
40 
30 
36 
45 
34 
32 
42 
34 
31 
43 
29 
37 
42 
32 
34 
39 
37 
35 
47 
35 
33 
48 
35 
40 
45 
36 
38 
40 
31 
38 
44 
37 
45 
46 
42 
44 
46 
40 
42 
49 
38 
38 
43 
42 
41 
44 
37 
42 
43 

o 

"ii'.o 
"24.6 

"33.'3' 

WNW.,  very  freah 

Cloudy. 

8p.  m 

N.,  fresh.... 

Do. 

K 

Calm 

Noon 

do 

Do. 

8  p.  m 

do          

Do. 

2« 

..      do 

£SE.  moderate  ... 

Clear,  sansbUie,  vithont  olondi. 
Do, 

8E.,  fresh 

Clondv.                                       ' 

87 

Ham 

S8E.,  freah 

do    .     ... 

Do. 

38.5 
'36.6' 
'35.3' 

do 

do 

Do. 

28 

Noon 

8p.  m 

do 

SE.  fresh  

Do. 
Clear  and  wlthont  clouds. 

8a.m 

Noon  

SSE.,  light 

Cnlm         

Clear,  sunshine,  without  elondi. 
Do. 

do 

Do. 

2 

Ha.  ni 

do 

Do. 

do 

Do. 

34.6 

do 

do 

do 

Do. 

3 

Cloudy. 

36  3 

do 

Clnndv. 

4 

X()on 

Uo          . .     .  . 

33.3 
"38.0" 

'36.3' 
'35.8' 

NNE.,  fresh 

5 

8  n.  m 

NE.,  nioderttto 

do 

0 

do 

E.,  moderate  

ENE.. light 

Dark  and  heavy  rain. 

8p.ni 

7 

SW.,  fresh  

do         

Cloudy. 

Noon 

8 

8a.m 

ENE.   fresh 

Noon 

6  p.  ni 

,lo 

Dark  and  heavy  rain. 
Do 

9 

ESE    verv  fresh 

3a  0 

Gloomy  and  heavy  rain. 
Clou'lv  iwid  at  times  rain. 
Do 

10 

Nrton 

SSE.,  fresh 

do          

3S.3 
"35.8 

Cloudy  and  at  times  rain. 

11 

8  A.  m 

ENE.  fresh 

Noon. 

8.SE.,  fresh 

8  D.  m 

SSE..  moderate 

1)0 

12 

Noon 

36.3 

do 

Do. 

13 

do 

Do. 

Noon 

"36.' (V 

do 

Do 

do 

SSE.  fresh    .  . . 

Do. 

14 

8  a.  in 

Cloudy. 

do 

8d.  m 

37.0 
'39.0' 

NE.  fresh 

Do 

16 

NNE., fresh 

NNW,  moderate 

WNW.,  light  

Calm 

Cloudy. 

16 

8  a-m 

Do 

do 

Clear,  sunshine,  and  cloudy. 

38.6 
"46.3' 

ENE..  fresh 

17 

8  a.  m 

Noon 

Cloudj-. 

SSE.,  light 

do 

Cloudy  and  at  times  rain. 

18 

do 

Noon 

8p.  m 

1 (in 

Do 

36.3 

Calm 

19 

do 

39.0' 
'44. 3' 
43.6' 

SSB.,  light 

Do               " 

B.,  fresB 

Gloomy  and  heavy  rain. 

20 

S.,  fresh 

do    

ESE.,  fresh 

Noon 

8  p.  ni 

21 

S8K.,  fresh 

Noou 

du 

ESE.  fresh   ..  . 

Gloomy  aud  heavy  rain. 
Cloudy  and  at  times  rain. 
Cloudy. 
Do 

22 

8a,m 

SSE.,  fresh 

do     

43.6 

SSW.,  fresh    

SSE.,  ft-esh    

23 

Do 

do 

8  D.  m 

41.0 

E.SK.,  fresh 

24 

SB.,  fresh 

Do. 

do 

Cloudy. 

6d.  m 

40.6 

SfitW.,  moderate 

26 

do 

Noon 

do 

Cloudy. 

*  Mean  temperature  for  February,  t8°.32. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


59 


Journal  of  meteorological  obaervationi,  tf-o. — Continued. 


Time. 

Houii. 

|l 

>> 

Direction  and  force  of  tbe 
wind. 

Weathe.-. 

1867. 
Mar     26 

Sp.m 

8a.  m 

Noon 

o 

80 

32 

34 

28 

28 

23 

21 

23 

3S 

27 

87 

49 

35 

29 

3« 

24 

o 
40.3 

Cloudy. 

do 

'si.s' 
■■2io' 

W8W.  niod«rat« 

Do. 

NW.,  freiih 

Cloudy. 

27 

N.,  gain 

Cloudy  and  at  timen  anc\w. 

NV.,?re8h. .:::!:::.*;!!!'.'.. 

28 

(;i()ii(|}-. 

Noon      

2&3 

SB.  froRh    

Dark  and  huow. 

29 

8a.  m 

Noon       

Cloudy  and  at  (ImeB  anew. 
Clear,  HUUHlilne,  without  clouda. 

.'do  

38.0 


30 

N.,  fresh 

do 

Cloudy. 

Noon 

* 

8  D.m   

29.6 

8E.,  moderate 

Do. 

*  Mean  temperature  for  thirty  '  lys  in  March,  38.°81. 


SUMMAKV^. 


Month. 

Mean 
tempera* 
tnre.     ^ 

Daily 
maximum. 

Dally 
minimum. 

THo  clood- 
leu  days. 

o 

36.1 

33.0 

31.7 

33.3 

318 

o 

41.7 

41.0 

37.0 

4S.6 

44.3 

o 

30.3 

24.3 

24.3 

14.7 

23.0 

Uarcb,1867 

1  [    if 


1! 


PART  III-PLANTS. 


Note.— The  matter  inclosed  by  parentheses,  and  including  the  initial  T,  has  been  added  to 
the  list  of  plants  given  by  Dr.  J.  T.  liothroclc.* 

RANUN  CUL  ACBiB, 

Thalictrum  alpinum,  L.,  Kotzebne  Sound  and  Port  Clarence. 

Anemone  alpina,  L.,  Kotzebne  Sound. 

Anemone  jiatens,  L.,  Fort  Yukon. 

Avemone  parviflora,  MiOHX.,  Kotzebne  Sound. 

Anemone  rkhardnoni,  Hook.,  Unalasbkii,  Kotzebne  Sound,  Yukon  River. 

Anemone  narcinsiflom,  h.,\  =  A.  multiMa  of  IIookeb).  "Kotzebue  Sound,  Point  Barrow  to 
R[ackenzie  River,  Unalashka  Island.  (This  species  is  abundant  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
attaining  a  height  of  1  foot.  The  early  spring  growth  on  the  upper  en.l  of  the  root  is  eaten  by  the 
natives  of  those  islands.     It  has  a  waxy,  farinaceous  taste  which  is  not  disagreeable.    T.) 

Hepafivn  triloba,  OliAix.,  Sitka. 

Ranunculus  palla^ii,  ScHLEOiiT.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

Kanunculm  hyperboreuH,  Rottb.,  Norton  Sound  to  Wainwright  Inlet. 

R.purshii,  RiouARDS.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

B.  lapponicus,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

B.  pygmceus,  Waul.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

R.  nivalis,  R.  Bb.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

R.  eschscholtzii,  Sohlecht.,  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Oape  Lisburne. 

B.  occidetitalis,  NuTT.,  (B,  recurvatus,  Bongard  in  Vegetation  of  Sitka,  but  not  of  PoiR),  Sitka. 
(R.  fluviatilis,  L.,  Atkha  and  Attn  Islands.     Quite  common  in  the  running  streams  of  water, 

and  occasionally  in  the  upland  pools.    T.) 

(R.  nelsoni,  D  0.  Abundant  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands.  Attains  a  height  of  15  inches. 
T.) 

Oaltha  palustris,  L.,  var.  aaari/olia,  Uualashka,  RoTHROOic.  (All  Aleutian  Islands,  quite  com- 
the  lower  hill  slopes.    T.) 

C,  leptosepala,  D  C    Sitka. 

0.  arctica,  R.  Bb.,  Tliis  species  doubtless  occurs  in  the  extreme  northeast  part  of  the  territory. 

Coptis  in/olia,  Salisb.,  Sitka. 

G.  asplenifolia,  Salisb.,  Sitka. 

(0.  trifolia,  Salisb.,  Common  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands  and  mainland  coast,  growing 
solitary,  2  to  3  inches  high.  This  species  was  collected  also  at  an  elevation  of  1,300  feet  at  Atkha 
Island.    T.) 

Aquilegia  formosa,  Fiscn.,  (=  A.  canadensis,  BoNO).    Sitka. 

Delphinium  menziesii,  D  C.     Kotzebue  Sound  to  Cape  Lisburne. 

Aconitum  napellus,  L.,  var.  delphini/olium.  Smith.  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Chain'.*so  Island, 
Norton  Sound,  and  between  Point  Barrow  and  Mackenzie  River.  (Quite  common  through  the 
entire  Aleutian  chain.    T.) 

NTMPHiBACIiJB. 

Nvphar  luteum.  Smith.  Sitka, 
west  side  of  Attu  Island.    T.) 


(This  species  grows  vigorously  in  a  shallow  lake  on  the  south- 


•  Sketch^of  the  Flora  of  Alaska,  by  J.  T.  Rothrock,  M.  D. 


(Suutbsouiau  Report  for  1807,  pp.  433-46:),) 

61 


62 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


PAPAVERACB2I. 

Papaver  alpinum,  L.,  P.  nudicaule.  Norton  Sound,  Kot/.obno  Sound,  and  from  Point  Barrow 
to  Mackenzio  River.  {Nudicauh  occurn  upiiriiiKly  i»  the  rociiy  bed  of  tlie  creeic  beyond  tlie  large 
lake  aoutheaat  of  the  village  of  lliuliuk  on  UnabiHlika  Island.  It  wau  not  observed  on  any  other 
ialand,  though  carefully  searched  for.    T.) 

FUMARIACBJa. 

Corydalis  pauciffora,  Pbrs,,  Norton  Sound,  island  of  Saint  Lawrence. 
0.  gluuca,  Pitrsii.    Point  Barrow  to  Mackenzio  River. 


I      :         I 


iS   ■ . 


i|i' 


M    1 


CRUCIPBRJB. 

Barber ea  vulo'tr is,  R.  Br.,  Sitka  and  Norton  Sound.     All  Ahnitian  Islands.     (T.) 
Arabia  hirauh',  Scop.,  Sitka  and  Unalaslika.     (All  the  Aleutian  Islands.    T.) 
{Arabia petraa,  L.,  var.  ambiflua,  Reokl.     Sitka  and  throughout  Aleutian  Chain.     T.) 
Nasturtium  palustre,  I)  C,  Es(!hlioltz  Bay,  Unalashka,  and  Yukon  River. 
Cardamine  Icnensis,  Andre.     Island  of  Saint  Lawrencic,  Unalashka,  Sitka. 

C.  pratemis,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Point  Barrow,  to  Mackenzie  River;  ^Norton  Sound  and 
throughout  the  Aleutian  Jp.lands.    T.) 

G.  hirsutu,  L.,  Unalashka  and  Sitka,  (Atkhii  Island.     (Joninion.    T.) 

G.  purpurea,  Cham.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Wainwright  Inlet,  Unalashka. 

G.  digitata,  RicnARUS.,  (Possibly  only  a  form  of  V,  prntenitia  ;  see  J.  I).  Hooker  in  Outlines 
of  the  Distribution  of  Arctic  Plants.)  Wainwright  Inlet,  island  of  Saint  Lawrence,* and  between 
Point  Barrow  and  Mackenzio  River. 

AlysHum  hypcrboreum,  L.,  A  doubtful  native  of  America.  Jjedobour,  in  Flora  Rossica,  simply 
tells  us  (on  authority  of  StoUer  t'.nd  Krasch)  that  it  is  "in  ora  occidont^ile  Americio  borealis." 

Parrya  macrocarpa,  R.  Br..,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Cape  Lislmrno,  between  Point  Barrow  and 
Mackenzie  River,  and  island  of  Saint  Lawrence. 

Draba  algida,  D  C,  Island  of  Saint  Lawrence. 

i>.  alpina,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

]).  glacialis,  Adams.    Cape  Lisburne,  Assistance  Bay,  Garry  Island. 

D.  stellata,  Jacq.,  var.  hebeearpa.  Kotzebue  Sound,  Unalashka,  and  Saint  Lawrence  Island  (t). 
(High  hill-tops  of  Aleutian  Islands,  rare.    T.) 

1).  hirta,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

D.  incana,  L.,  Garry  Island,  Saint  Lawrence  Island,  Unalashka,  (all  the  Aleutian  Islands. 
Quito  common.    T.) 

Z>.  gracilis,  Ledeb.,  Unalashka. 

D.  borealis,  D  C.  Islands  of  Saint  Lawrence  and  Unalashka.  According  to  Ji  D.  Hooker 
this  species  is  perhaps  only  a  leafy  form  of  I),  incana. 

D.  unalaschkiana,  D  C,  "A  var.  D.  borealis"  (T),  Ledebour,  op.  cit.  at  Unalashka. 

D.  stenoloba,  Ledeb.,  Unalashka. 

I),  inuricella,  Wahl.,  D.  nivalis,  Lil.iebl.,  Wainwright  Inlet. 

I),  grandis,  Langsdorfp.    Sitka,  Unalashka. 

Cochlear iafenestrata,  R.  Bu.,  Norton  Sound  to  Point  Barrow  and  Assistance  Bay. 

G.  ohlongifolia,  D  C.  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Wainwright  Inlet,  and  between  Point  Barrow 
and  Mackenzio  River,  Norton  Sound. 

G.  anglica,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound  and  Assistance  Bay. 

{Gochlearia  officinalis,  h..  Saint  Michael's.  Seven  inches  high,  not  very  common;  abundant 
throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands.    T.) 

Tetrapoma  pyriforme,  Seemann.  Tab.  2,  Bot.  of  Voyage  of  the  Herald.  Probably  introduced 
by  the  Russians,  as  it  has  not  been  found  elsewhere  than  at  Saint  Michael's. 

Hesperis  pallasii,  T.  and  G.    Kotzebue  Sound  and  Cape  Lisburne. 

Sisymbrium  sophia,  L.,  var.  sophioides.  Kotzebue  Sound  and  between  Point  Barrow  and  Mac- 
kenzie River, 


OONTUIBUTIONS  TO  TUK  NATURAL  MISTOUY  OF  ALASKA. 


68 


f!ry»mum  lanccolntum.  It.  Ull.,  Arctic  <'«)nst,  Pillion. 

Kutrema  edwnrihii,  It.  Hit.,  Siiiiit  Lhwitik-u. 

Aphrngmim  enehiichoUzianun,  Andiix.,  IJiiiiliiHlikii. 

IIutchitiHia  calycina,  Oksv.,  KoIzpIhkj  Hounil  uiul  Capo  Kriizfliisterii. 


VIOLACB^. 

Viola  hijlnra,  Ti.,  viir.  xitchnmis,  Hv.aVA,.     Silka. 

V.  blandii{1),  Kotzt'hiic  Houinl  (Motaiiy  of  nocclio.v's  Voyiijj*')- 

V,  Laminilorffii,  Fiscn.,  Kotliiik  aiitl  IJiiiila.slika.  (Tlim  H|u'(;i('.>*  18  qiiito  pliMitirul  on  all  tlie 
Aleutian  iMlandM.  Tlio  phiiitH  foiiiiil  <iii  iu>i'taiii  areas  of  tlii^  lowtT  (^roiinils  attain  a  vi;;()roiiH 
growtli.    TlioHe  which  occnr  on  the  iMlantl  of  Attn  are  (|uite  Hinall  and  of  lif^hter  lilue  color.    T.) 

DROBBRACBJE]. 

Ih-oitcra  rotnndiJ'oUa,  L.,  Siti<a.  (This  plant  is  not  conimon  at  Saint  Michael's,  there  growin)? 
in  rery  small  patches.  The  (lowers  arc  white;  ;  ttaiiis  there  a  hei;j;ht  of 'J  inches.  Anion;;  all  the 
Aleutian  Lslands  it  occurs  plenlifnlly,  here  atlainin;;  a;;reatei'  size  and  lar^e  patches  which  reiiiaiu 
in  (iolor  (decj)  reildish  brown)  tlirouKhonl  the  entire  winter.  'I'lu*  leaves  exude  a  visiiid  substance 
which  allnres  small  dipterons  insetrts,  and  these  are  linally  at»s(n-lied.     T.) 

Paniansiii  imhinlris,  L.,  Norton  Sound,  Fort  Ynkoii.  ((Jonimon  at  bases  of  ravino  sides  and 
hills  amoii^  the  western  islands  of  the  Alentian  chain.    T.) 

P.  httzvhttn,  ClIAM.,  I'ort  (llaience  to  Cape  lii.sbiirnc,  Hoi.  Herald.  (Oommon  on  the  western 
islands  ot  the  Aleutian  chain,  less  so  on  the  eastern  islands, ^rowin^  ai  the  bases  of  hills.  Flowers 
white.    T.) 

CARyOPHYLLACB.a3. 

DianthuH  rupenx,  Wii.t.d.,  Norton  Sonnd,  Kolzebue  Somid,  ('apt-  Lisbnrne,  and  Yukon  Hiver 
banks. 

iiViVefie  fi«f(u/i«,  L.,  Kotzebuc  Sonnd,  ('ape  liisburne,  an<l  between  I'oint  Harrow  and  Macken- 
zie lliver. 

jMelamlryum  apelaliim,  Fkn/i,.,  Kotzebiie  Sound  anil  northern  lioasts. 

Spvrgtild  siijiiiioides,  \i.,  Sitka,  dialashka,  and  Kotzebiie  Sound. 

»V.  rubra,  T.  and  (l.,  Sitka. 

iS.  arrenHiH,  L.,  Sitka. 

Areiiiirifi  rcnia,  L.,  (var.  hirin).     Western  sh<  'c  of  Norlhern  Alaska. 

A.  arctira,  Fknzi,.,  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Cape  Lisbnrne.  (This  plant  was  obtained  ( ;ily  at 
SaniiAk  Island,  ^lo^vin^  in  lar^e  stools;  the  heads  were  of  a  delicate  pink  color.  Not  observed 
elsewhere  on  the  islands  to  the  westward.     T.) 

A.  mocrocarpa,  Funzl.,  Saint  Ijawrcnce  Island  anil  northwest  coast. 

Ifonke^irya  pfiploiilex,  Kn\t.,  Norlhern  shoi'es.  (Obtained  at  Alkha  Island;  not  common; 
grows  on  the  drier  hill  sides.     T.) 

H.  peploiifen,  vnr,  ohloHiii/oUii,  lOiiii.,  Silka  and  Kotzebiie  Snimd. 

Mcrkiii  pin/sodes,  Fihch.,  Norton  .Sound  lo  I'oi'it  Harrow. 

MdcliriiKjiii  laterijlora,  I'"];n/,l.,  Silka  lo  I'nalaslika,  Fort  Yukon. 

Slelliiria  media,  Smith.     Silka  and  IJnalashka. 

S.  horcalin,  Higki.ow.     Sitka  and  Uiialashka. 

S.  borvalis,  var.  crisjm.     Sitka  and  ;Jnalashka. 

>S'.  crangifolia,  ICnii.,  Sitka. 

S.  humifum,  Kotthl.,  Silka,  Norton  Sound,  Kot/.ebue  Sound.  • 

8.  lomjifoUa,  MuiiL.,  Sitka  and  Kotzebiie  Sound. 

>S.  Inngipin,  (iOI.dik.  Kotzebiie  Sound,  Yukon  Kiver. 

S.  ulijiinom,  L.  (Obtained  only  at  Attn  and  Atkha  Islands,  growing;  under  the  eaves  or  in  the 
crevices  of  the  oldest  wooden  houses.     It  is  ipiite  rare  at  either  place.     T.) 

GeraHtium  vuhjutum,  L.,  C.  alpinum,  in  I'.oiigard's  Ve^-etation  of  Silka.  (Obtained  at  Atkha 
Island  amoug  the  wet  localities  on  sides  of  hills.    Flowers  iu  early  July.    T.) 


64 


CONTKIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  UI8TOUY  OF  ALASKA. 


l^W 


C.  vulqntum,  L.,  viir.  grandijtorum,  Lkubii.,  in  Florn  IlimHioa.  Norton  Sound. 
0.  vulgalum,  L.,  var.  hehrinijianum,  Lkdkh.,  in  Fiorii  UosNiini.  Norton  Sound. 
(Sojjinn  Hnnm^  }*bu8T.,  ()l>tiiined  from  tliu  lilgli  iiiUto|m  of  Atltlui  Inlund ;  not  coininon. 


T.) 


lAnum  perennc,  L.,  Fort  Yukon. 


LINACBiB. 


OERANIACB^ 


Qermiium  erianihum,  D  ('.,  Sitknand  (JnaliiMlilia.  (liaroat  Saint  Micliavl'H;  abundant  tiirough- 
out  tho  Aleutian  Islands.     Flowers  palu  blue.    T.) 

LSaUMINOSA. 

Lupinus  perennin,  L.,  Kotzebuc  Sound. 

L.nootlcatenHin,  DoNN.  Unalaslikii,  Fort  Yukon.  (This  jilant  is  very  abuiulant  tlirongtiout  the 
entire  coast  line  of  Alaska,  including  tlie  AltMitian  Islands.  It  attains  a  iieiKlit  aceordinp;  to 
locality,  tlie  more  northern  i)lants  are  of  small  si/e  while  on  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  frtniuently 
attains  a  height  of  4  fiet.  The  flowers  are  pale  blue  to  nearly  white,  forming;  a  raceme  of  nearly  a 
foot  in  length.  The  root  is  very  large;  and,  in  rich  soil,  becomtvs  over  15  inches  in  Ienf;tli  by  2  or  '^ 
inches  in  «lianieter  and  of  spindle-shape.  This  plant  is  calhMl  zh6Uia  h'lren  or  "  yellow-root,"  by  the 
Itussian-speaking  people.  About  tho  middle  of  ()(rtober  the  Aleuts  dig  great  quantities  of  these 
roots  for  food.  The  roots  are  carefully  scraped  until  the  skin  is  removed,  the  interior  possessing  a 
slightly  bitter  but  farinaceous  taste  and  is  eaten  either  raw  or  else  boiled.  When  eaten  in  exeei^s 
jt  is  apt  to  produce  disagreeable  ett'ects,  and  if  oily  food  is  not  also  eaten  soon  after  the  ijresence 
of  so  much  woody  fiber  in  tin-  stomach  and  intestines,  is  likely  to  produce  fatal  intlammation.  The 
roots  are  frequently  tho  only  food  that  the  hunters  can  obtain  during  long-continued  storms.  Sev- 
eral such  instances  have  occurred  to  my  own  knowledge.  1  am  not  aware  that  the  natives  of  the 
mainland  nnike  use  of  Ihis  i)lant  for  food.  A  remark  concjerning  the  spread  of  this  plant  may  not 
be  out  of  place.  Near  the  grave-yard  of  Iliuliuk  village  on  Unalashka  Island  in  1878,  but  few  stalks 
of  this  plant  were  to  be  seen;  in  1881  the  area  was  covered  with  a  mass  of  vigorous  stalks  and  were 
frequently  referred  to  by  others  who  had  noticed  their  rapid  growth.  Tho  cattle  formerly  collecte«l 
there  when  they  had  eaten  sulliciently,  and  their  droppings  may  have  favored  tho  increased  growth 
of  these  plants.    T.) 

Trifolium  repens,  L.,  Sitka;  fide  Dr.  A.  Kellogg. 

Astragaltis  frigidus,  Gray.    Phaca  frigidus,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

A.  (ilpinus,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound  to  I'oint  Barrow,  Fort  Yukon. 

Apolarin,  Bentk.,  Uediscovored  by  Seeniann  at  Eschscholtz  Bay,  in  Kotzebue  Sound,  during 
the  voyage  of  tho  Herald.     See  J.  D.  Hooker,  on  Distribution  of  Arctic  Plants. 

A,  hfipoglottis,  L.,  Pcint  Barrow  and  eastward.  Fort  Yukon. 

Oxytropis  campentrin,  J)  C,  including  0.  horealiH,  D  C     Kotzebue  Sound. 

0.  uralensis,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound  and  west  coast  of  Alaska. 

Vieia  gigantea,  Hook.,  v.  amerivana,  MuuL.,  Sitka,  Arctic  coast. 

Lathyrus  maritimus,  Bigel.,  Sitka,  west  coast  of  Alaska.  (Grows  abundantly  throughout 
tbe  coast  line  of  Alaska,  south  of  Ca])e  Lisburne,  and  including  the  entire  chain  of  Aleutian 
Islands.  In  some  localities  it  becomes  very  luxuriant,  the  legumes  bearing  several  seed  of  consid- 
erable size.  There  is  no  usr  made  of  this  plant  by  tho  natives;  neither  is  it  eaten  by  the  cattle  or 
sheep.    T.) 

Hedymriim  horeale,  NuTT.,  Kotzebue  Sound  and  Cape  Lisburne. 

H.  mackenzii,  Uichabds.,  Yukon  Eivor,  50  miles  west  of  Fort  Yukon.  Sweetish  root,  eaten  by 
the  Indians. 

ROSACEiB. 

Spiraa  betuli/olia,  Pall.,  Kotzebue  Soiind. 

8.  arunctis,  L.,  Bitka. 

S.  salicifolia,  L.,  Point  Barrow  to  Mackenzie  River. 

S.  peotinata,  T.  and  G.,  Sitka  and  about  Bering  Straits. 


0ONTKIUUTION8  TO  TIIK  NATUUAL  HISTORY  OF  ALAHKA. 


Dryaii  ovU>itviala,  L.,  Kctt/.ubiio  aouiitl  to  Port  (Iliironcc  hiiiI  iiortliiTii  hIioip.  Dr.  Uothronk 
Hft.VH  lio  ciinnot  do  otlicrwiHo  thiiii  unite  /'.  inU-grifolia,  Vahi,.,  with  tliiw  HpecicM ;  J.  I).  Hooker 
iiiiN  iiirettdy  iloiio  ho  in  liiH  piiper  qiiototl  id)ov(\ 

Gcnm  vxacroiihyUum.  VVii.i.DK,,  Hitkii,  UnaltiHlikii.  (Olttaiiu'd  only  iit  Attn  iiiul  UniiluHlikii. 
Not  common  iit  llniiliiNlikii,  iinil  l>ut  litllo  more  so  »t  Attn.  Tlii'  semidoine.stlcatcd  younj,'  of  the 
whitoehi'oki'd  \^^^^m^  devour  the  JeiiveMof  this  phmt  ho  tliiit  it  in  dillicult  to  ol)tiiin  ^^mi\  Hpocimeim 
of  it.     Flowers  yellow,  pliinl  att.  \h  \\\i  ii  height  of  M5  inclieM.     T.) 

G.  falthi/oliii.H^i^yiiTU.  UniiliiHlika,  Sitka.  (Orows  amonK  the  drier  crovices  and  defts  of 
rockH  alonjr  the  beacili.  Usually  in  Htooln  of  variable  size.  Flowers  bright  yellow.  .lune  to  latter 
part  of  Annust.  Some  of  the  leaves  remain  green  the  entire  year.  (!omnion  throuKliout  theentiro 
Aleutian  chain.    Kare  at  Saint  Miclnu  I'l,,  and  there  (piitti  stunted.    T.) 

a.  (flacidle,  Adamh.  (Jape  Lisbiirne  and  Kotzebue  Sound;  also  found  on  northern  Hhore,  west 
of  Mackenzie  Uiver. 

G.  ronHti,  Skuinok.     Unalashka. 

Siinguimrhn  canadcnitiH,  h.,  Hanks  of  Muckhuid  River,  llnnlashkn,  Sitka,  Fort  Yukon,  Yukon 
River  banks, 

Sibhaldia  imwumhenn,  L.,  Uualashka.  (All  the  Aleutian  IslandB,  rarely  exceeding  an  inch  in 
height.    T.) 

Potentilla  norvegica,  L,,  Sitka,  Point  Harrow  to  Mackenzie  River. 

P.  jyeHnsylranica,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

/'.  (tnnerinti,  L.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  I'oint  Marrow,  northern  coast,  Fort  Yukon. 

/'.  nana,  Lkum.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

/'.  vmaryiiiata,  Puusii.     Kotzebiu'  Sound,  between  Point  Barrow  and  ivrackenzie  Kiver. 

/'.  nirva,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound  and  (ioast  west  of  Cape  Hathurst,  ,/irfe  Botany  of  the  Herald. 

r.  rillona,  Pall.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Cnalashka,  Sitka.  (Common  throughout  the  (ioast  of  the 
mainland  and  the  Aleutian  Islands,  growing,  on  rocky  places  near  the  beach.    Flowera  yellow.    T.) 

i*.  bijiora,  Lkiim.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Cape  Lisburne. 

r./ruticona,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  banks  of  Buckland  River. 

P.  paluxtrin,  Scoi'.,  Sitka,  Saint  liawrence. 

Kiilmn  HjwctohiUn,  PuKSii.    Sitka,  Kadiak,  Cape  Saint  Hlias. 

li.  arvtkuH,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Saint  Michael's. 

R.  pedatus,  Smith.     Sitka. 

li.  ehamwmorm,  L.,  Sitka,  nortli  and  west  coast  of  Alaska.  (Very  abundaut  at  Saint 
Michael's  and  southward  along  the  entire  coast,  including  Aliaska  and  Uniniak,  AkuttiU,  Attn, 
and  Agattu,  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  It  is  not  found  on  IJnalashka  or  any  of  the  intermediate 
islands  to  Attn.  The  berries  are  sliglitly  acid  when  fully  ripe,  and  are  eagerly  sought  for  by  the 
natives,  who  preserve  them  by  putting  them  in  water  and  allowing  the  nuiss  to  freeze.  Among 
the  Eskimo  of  Norton  Sound  the  berries  are  mixed  with  the  backfat  of  the  reindeer,  to  form  the 
talkuaha  of  the  Russians.  The  children  begin  to  pi(!k  these  berries  as  soon  as  they  have  formed 
in  fruit,  and  eat  them  in  such  quantities  that  scarcely  anything  else  is  consumed  during  the  entire 
day.    T.) 

(liubus  utellatuii,  Smith.  Not  observed  at  Unalashka;  plentiful  at  Atklia,  and  less  abundant 
at  Attu.    Flowers  pink  ;  fruit  insignificant,  scarcely  having  taste.    T.) 

R,  nutkanus,  M09.,  Sitka. 

Rosa  cinnamomea,  L.,  Point  Barrow  to  Mackenzie  Eiver,  Fort  Yukon. 

Pyrwt  riviilaris,  Dougl.,  Sitka. 

P.  sambucifolia,  Cham,  and  Schleoht.,  Sitka.  (A  species  of  "  strawberry  ";  grows  abundantly 
on  Akutan  Island,  the  fruit  being  very  fragrant  and  of  excellent  flavor.  At  Atkha  island  the 
same  species  is  found  sparingly  on  the  path  from  Naztiii  Bay  to  Old  Harbor,  I  have  eaten  the 
fruit  from  both  the  localities  named  above,  but  could  not  obtain  specimens  of  the  p'^nt  at  the 
proper  season.  It  is  not  Ibund  on  any  other  of  the  islands  to  my  knowledge.  T.) 
S.  Mis.  156 9 


-TfWJ^BS^JTSRW'r'gP?^!?'" 


66 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAT.  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


ii 


11 
II. 


ONAOhACEiB. 

Epilobium  angiuii/olium,  h.,  Sitka,  Unahi'lika,  Fort  YiikoB,  banks  of  Yukon  River,  nortli  and 
tvest  sliores  of  Alaska.  (At  Saint  Micliael's  this  plant  occuivs,  generally  solitary,  among  the  tall 
givwscs  on  the  steeper  hill  J'.les,  growing  to  a  height  of  8  to  17  inches.    Flowers  pinkish  to  leil.    T.) 

K  InU/olium,  L.,  Nor.on  Sound,  Point  Barrow,  Sitka,lhialashka.  (Abundant  along  the  rocky 
^lauks  of  creeks  ^  attains  a  height  of  18  inches.  Flowers  reddish  purple,  very  showy.  The  stems 
are  very  wo:"dy  and  difdcult  t  j  break.    T.) 

K  luterm,  PuHSH.  Sitka,  Unalasldta.  (Abundant  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands,  rare  at 
Saint  Michael's.    Flowers  yellow.    T.) 

JE.  pahistrc,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound, /(rfe  Ledebour,  in  Flora  Rossica. 

E.  teiragonum,  L.,  (iriven  as  a  native  of  this  rcH'io". 

E.  roseum,  Schreb.,  Sitka.  (Plentiful  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands;  grows  in  wet  locali- 
ties.   T.) 

E.  alpinmn,  L.,  Sitka. 

E.  affine,  Bongakd.  Sitka.  (Most  altiindant  on  the  western  islands  of  tlii^  Aleutian  chain; 
less  common  on  the  eaateiT.  islands.    Grows  2  feet  high.     T.) 

Cirvan  alpina,  L.,  Siik  i. 

Eippuris  vulgariH,  I..,  Sitka,  Bay  of  Good  Hope. 

B.  montana,  Ledeb.,  Unalashka. 

I'^.  maritima,  Hellen.    Kotzebue  Sound  and  delta  of  river  Bncklnnd. 

PORTnLACACB.ffi. 

Glaytonia  virginica,  L.,  Kot/ebuo  Sound. 

C.  sarmcntom,  0.  A.  Meyer.     Cape  LiKburne,  Kotzebue  Sound. 
Cjiagellaris,  Bong,,  'S'ltkv.. 

0.  sihirica,  L.,  Sitka,  Cape  Saint  Ellas.  (iNbundaut  tlirouglunit  the  Aleuliiin  Islands,  growing 
amongst  rank  grasses  and  otiier  i)lants.    Flowers  wliite  to  r<'d.    T.^ 

G.  chaniiHuonis,  EscnscilOLTZ.  (C.aquatica,  Nt  i  r.  iii  Flora  Nortli  Anunica.  Torrey  aii'I  (iray, 
Jide  Ledebour).     Unalashka. 

Montia  fontaun,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Norton  Souiul,  Ivdlzebuo  Sound. 

CRASSULACB^. 

Sedum  rhodiola^  I)  0.    Norton  aud  Kotzebi         uiids. 

GROSSULACE^. 

Uihes  riibrtim,  L.,  I'ort  Clareuce,  Kotzebue  Sound,  "akon  River,  (Saint  MiciiaeCs.     T.) 

H,  hufhonkvium,  ^'.iCHARDS,,  Yukon  River, 

R.  hui^fiorum,  IV'Usu.    Cape  Saint  Elias  an'  Sitka. 

F  bracteomm,  UoucvL.,  Sitka. 

B.  lucmtre,  PuRSii.     Point  BarroW  tH  Mackenzie  River. 

SAXIFRAGACBiSEI 

Saxijraga  opponHifotiti,  L.,  Unalnshki',  (  i']n'  Lisburno,  T'otzebiie  Sound,  and  northern  coast. 

jS.  hroDchialis,  L.,  Kotzel)ne  Sound,  W'ainwright  Inlet,  Unalashka. 

S.  niti<ta,  ScnRUB.,  Un}i^-si?i.-a, ./irf"  Ledelioir,',  Flora  Rossica. 

8.  esch/iclioltzii,  Ste"  ;<«.,  Cape  Lisburne,  l-iotzcbue  Sound. 

S.  JiageUnriti,  \Vi;j,D.,  Cape  Lisburne,  Ivct/i'lyiic  " -und,  Assistance  Ba\. 

iS'. /(/»r«/«,v,  L.,  Norton  Soun  '  lo  Point  Barrow,  and  k'l  noitliern  coast.  (Common  ".long  the 
beach  and  wet  i)la<es  of  the  lower  hillsides  ot  the  Alcntian  Islands.    T.) 

S.  tricu«2>i'^«t: ,  Retz.,  Kot'.cbue  Soiiiid.  Unalashka,  Fort  Yukon. 

S.  serpglli/l  'i  i,  PuRSii.     Cape  Lisburne,  '"i;'i!:;.'-.!;!;M.  Saint  Lawrc'ice  Isliuid. 

S.  leuc(i'\tlu  'nifolia,  Lai'.,  (s,  atrlhirisy  h ,  var.  hnniiiolanay  BoNOAUi),  Veg.  Sitka.)  Sitka  and 
Cape  Pri'jce  of  Wales. 


M 


OONTUIBUTIONS  TO  Til  If  NATUUAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


67 


S.  daniriea.  Pai.i,.,  (Sceinaini  has  ijiiitiul  with  this  species  S.  ilahclli/oUay  avA  apparently  on 
good  grounds.)     V,\\h>  Lislmrne,  Ivotzcbuo  Siniiid,  Tliialaslika. 

S.  iiirnlh,  L.,  UnahishUa,  ('ape  Jjisbiirne,  and  other  stations  on  th<,i  coast. 

S.  ariDiit,  L.,  Point  Barrow  to  iMacken''.ie  Uiver. 

S.  hiemciJ'oUa,  W.  and  K.,  Saint  La  vrence,  Kotzebne  Sound. 

S.  nelHoniana,  DoNN  (Not  of  Hooker  and  Arnott,  in  Botany  of  Beechoy's  Voyage).  Norton 
Sound. 

S.  spivatii,  DoNN.  SIed!j:e  .Island,  Cape  Piiiuie  of  Wales. 

S,  puiiftdld,  L.,  S.  n'stirtiUs,  FiacMnn,  Sitka,  Unahishka,  Kotzobuo  Sound,  (all  the  Aleutian 
Islands.    T.) 

S.  argnta,  DoNN.  Northwest  coast.     Where? 

S.  nudicdKlis,  DoNN.  between  Norton  and  Kotzebuo  Sound,  _/iV/^  Ledebour,  Flora  Koasica. 

S.  In'temiithvni,  llooKHK.  *V.  mertensiitna,  Hdng.,  Veg.  Sitka,  Jiik  Lodebour,  S.  a'stinaliH,  var. 
T.  and  U.    Sitka, 

«S'.  Milin,  Srici'ii.,  Schiscliniaiell'  and  Esehsclioltz  Bays.  Jlost  likely  as  suggostoil  by  i7.  D. 
Hooker,  only  a  weedy  state  of  iS'.  cerniia. 

S.  nibirint,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

(S'.  rii-idiiris,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

N.  campih  Kd,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

S.  e.varattt,  Vii.i,.,  Unalasldca,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

.V.  siknijhra,  Stkhni!.,  Kotzi'bue  Sound,  I'nalaslika.    ((.'onnnon  on  all  the  Aleutian  Islands.   T.) 

S,  anihvxncea,  L.,  Is  hardly  likely  to  be  identical  with  tiie  plant  said  by  I'ursh  to  inhabit  the 
northwest  coast;   Dr.  Hothroek  does  not  include  it  in  his  list. 

lioi/kinitt  richardsiiiiii,  S(i.cijh(i/<i  ricliiirdmiiiii.  Hook.,  S.  iiclsoiiiitna,  Hoo'C.  and  Arnott,  in 
Botany  of  l!i'eil;e\"s  Voyas'i',  tab.  L'!t. 

Jjcptarrheua  jj/ri/olm,  K.  Bi!.,  Unalashka  and  Oape  Prince  of  Wales?  (All  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
growin;^'  t.)  a  hei)i;ht  of!  foot.     Flowers  in  ciirly  .Iidy.     T.) 

Clirysosiilcniiiiii  oUrntifolium,  L.,  Kotz-bue  Sound  to  Capo  Lisburno.  (Found  only  on  tops  of 
hills  in  areas  bare  of  other  vegetation.    Atklia,  Attn,  L'nalashka  Islands.    T.) 


TJMBELLIFBR.aEl. 

J>iii>liunim  rnnuiirutoiilm^lj..  Port  Clarence  to  (!ape  Lisburno,  Norton  Sound.  (Obtained  only 
at  Saint  Michacrs.  (irows  in  single  stalks  on  the  drier  spots  of  n-.arshy  tracts.  Flowers  bright 
yellow.     Sol  (■oinMuin.     T.) 

Lijjustiium  KCiiticiim,  L..  Silka,  Kidiak,  Kotzebue  S()unil,  and  Norton  St)und. 

Coitioscliiiumjisrhcri,  \\'iMJt.  and  CrH.vn.,  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Kolzelme  Sound,  ami  Arctic  coast. 
(This  species  occurs  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands,  giowing  on  the,  lowlands.  It  is  regarded  as 
highly  poisonous  by  the  natives.    T.) 

llemch'um  htiuitinii,  Mk^iix.     Sitka. 

OKmo)Tlii:(t  «(/'/((,  Tour.,  O.bycriyti/Iiis,  BoN(i  Alio,  Wgelation  of  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Sitka. 

Arehanijdlm  ofwiniiUs,  Hdki-'m.,  iJnala>>nka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Sitka.  (Tiiis  species  occurs 
sparingly  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's,  rari^ly  attaining  a  height  of  more  than  2  feet,  and 
having  a  stalk  scarcely  more  than  half  an  inch  in  I'ianietir.  Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  is 
very  abundant,  esi)ecially  on  the  outskirts  of  (he  sites  ol'  ancient  villages  and  in  the  excavations 
which  formed  the  dwellings  in  thosti  villages.  It  attains,  in  such  localities,  a  height  of  several 
feet,  4  to  (I  feet  being  eomnn)n  sizes,  and  of  very  thick  stalks.    This  s|iecies  is  one  of  the  earliest 

plants  to  appear  in  spring.     The  ieaf  stalks  bet e  very  long.     \l  .Vttii  I  have  seen  thiMu  4  feet 

long,  bearing  a  leaf  as  large  as  a  palinleaf  fan.  'fhe  (ender  leafsti.lks  ami  the  nniin  stalk  are 
eaten  by  the  Aleuts.  Dnring  the  montlis  of  .May  and  .Line  Uw  women  go  and  gather  great  bundles 
of  these  stalks  and  bring  them  to  the  village.  The  lirst  linger  is  inserted  into  the  hollow  stalk  and 
rapidly  split  open;  the  teeth  are  then  used  to  assist  the  fingers  to  separate  the  tender  parts  from 
the  exterior  skin  and  strings  of  the  stalk.  It  is  an  operation  which  re»|uires  much  de.Kterity  and 
pra(  ticc  to  enable  one  to  iirevent  the  tender  parts  from  breaking.    The  nuiin  stalk  is  stripped  of 


-;WllTO^W»Jl',W? 


\mmr 

\ 


68 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUKAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA 


its  skill,  wliicb,  wlien  young  and  tender,  is  easily  accomplished.  Ttte  main  stalk  possesses  a 
sweetish,  aromatic  taste;  the  leaf-stalks  are  sweeter,  bnt  less  f.romatic.  I  have  seen  hoys  and  girls 
eat  these  stalks  by  the  yard  at  a  time.  A  boy  at  Atkha  rocoivod  the  nick-mime  of  I'oochka,  the 
Bassian  name  of  this  plant,  because  he  devoured  so  much  o '  it.  On  the  approacl*  of  frost  tlie 
plant  rapidly  withers,  and  leaves  the  dry  stal'Ts  standing  until  pushed  out  of  the  way  for  the  next 
year's  growth.  When  these  stalks  are  in  aufiicient  quantity  near  a  village  the  people  use  them  as 
fuel.  The  exterior  bark  of  the  dead  stalk  is  impervious  to  the  rain ;  hence  when  camping  out  a 
Are  is  easily  started  with  these  stalks  if  they  are  first  broken  open.  They  produce  a  llerce  fire.  T.) 
A.  gmelini,  D  0.,  Sitka,  Unalashka.  Kotzebue  Sound. 

ARALIACE2I. 

Panax  horridum,  Smith.    Sitka,  Kadiak. 

Adoxa  moschatellina,  L.,  Kussian  America, ./i<7e  Ledebour ;  what  parti! 

•  CORNACBi?. 

Oorrms  sueoica,  L.,  Common  on  western  coast  of  Alaska.  (Common  at  Saint  Miciiael's.  I'Mowcrs 
in  the  latter  part  of  June.    Grows  in  small  patches  along  edges  of  grassy  bluffs.    T.) 

C.  unalasohkcnsis,  Lkdebour.  Unalashka. 

G.  canadensis,  L.,  Sitka.  (Abundant  at  Saint  Alichael's.  Fruit  bright  red,  edible,  sweetish 
taste.    Plentiful  among  the  Aleutian  Islands.    T.) 

G.  stolonifera,  MiCHX.,  Fort  Yukon. 

CAFRIFOLIACEiB. 

Samhiicwi  pubem,  MiCHX.,  Sitka. 

Viburnum  acerifolium,  L.,  Fort  Yukon. 

}'.  paudjiorum,  Pylaie,  V.  aceri/olinm,  Bongard's  Veg.  Sitka.  (The  slipulifonn  iippendages 
appear  to  be  the  only  constant  dift'erencc,  between  these  two  species  in  my  specimens.  They  are 
quite  variable  in  length  of  stamens  and  shape  of  corolla. — J.  T.  Itothrock.) 

Linnwa  borcalis,  CiRoyov.,  Norton  and  Kotzebue  Sounds,  Sitka,  Unalashkii.  (.Vbundant 
throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands.    Grows  on  the  cold  hillsides.     Flowers  pink.     T.) 

RUBIACB^. 

Oalium  triMum,  L.,  Unalashka  and  Si  J",. 

0.  borcale,  L.,  G.  rnhiriden,  Hook,  and  Ar  ■fOT'^,  Bot.  Beech ey,.AV7('  Seemanu.  Kotzebue  Sound, 
Bucklaiiu  Eiver,  Fort  Yukon,  and  banks  of  Y. '     i  Hirer. 

0.  trifiorum,  Mionx.,  Sitka,  Unalashka. 

G.  aparine,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka.  (Found  only  at  Attn  Island,  growing  under  the  eaves  of  an 
old  house.  Flowers  greenish  white.  The  plant  consisted  of  only  a  single  stalk  and  was  certainly 
an  introduced  individual.    T.) 

VALERIANACB2]. 

Valeriana  dioica,  L.,  Norton  Sound. 

V.  capitata,  Willd.,  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Cape  Lisburne,  Sitka,  Point  Barrow  to  Mackenzie 
River,  and  sonth  to  Aliaska. 

Tellima  grandiflora,  DouGL,  Sitka  and  islands  adjacent  to  the  coast. 
Tiarclla  trifoliata,  L.,  Sitka  and  Alaskan  coast. 
Heuchera  glabra,  Willd.,  H.  divaricata,  Fisoii.,  Sitka. 

coMPOSiT.a:. 

Nardosmia  frigida,  HooK.,  includes  N.  corymhosa,  HooK. ;  Unalashka,  Norton  Sound,  northern 
coast. 

Aster  muUiflorus,  Ait,,  (l'erhai)s  we  may  include  und(!r  this  A.  ramulosis,  IjINDl.,  ami  A. 
falcatus,  LiNDL.  If  this  be  done  we  have  one  polymorphic  spiwies  ranging  from  Georgia  to  Point 
Barrow  and  Mackenzie  River,  and  from  Massachusetts  to  the  Rocky  Mountains.)    Northern  coast. 


CONTlllBUTIONS  TO  TUB  NATURAL  UISTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


69 


A.  peregrinm,  Puhsh.  Unalashka,  Norfolk  Sound.  (Abundant  throughout  the  Aleutian 
Islands.  Usmilly  solitary  stalks.  On  some  of  the  islands  this  plant  blooms  until  covered  with  snow 
in  the  middle  of  November.  Where  the  roots  have  been  covered  by  heavy  snow-drifts  at  elevations 
of  1,500  feet  it  is  the  last  plant  to  flower  in  8i»ring;  the  colors  of  which  vary  from  lightest  pink  to 
blneish.    T.) 

A.  foliaceuH,  Lindl.,  Unalashka. 

A.  Halmginoauii,  Riohakds.,  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

A.  alpinuH,  L.,  Unalashka,  2,000  feet  above  sea-level. 

A.  sihirkiis,  L.,  including,  after  J.  D.  Hooker  and  Fries,  A.  montnnus,  Kioiiabds,  and  .1. 
richardsonii,  Spb.    Kotzebue  Sound,  Unalashka,  Point  Harrow. 

Erigeron  uniflorum,  L.,  (Following  Fries,  I  inclu<le  under  this  species  U.  puhheUum,  D  C,  as 
a  variety.  There  is  unquestionably  good  ground  for  the  union. — J.  T.  Rothrock.)  Unalashka, 
Cape  Lisburue. 

E.  glahellum,  Nutt.,  Wainwright  Inlet  to  Mackenzie  River;  var.  oHpcrsnin,  Fort  Yukon. 

Solidago  virgaauren,  L.,  Unalashka  to' Kotzebue  Sound  Oape  Lisburne,  and  on  northern  coast; 
var.  niiiltiradiata,  Fort  Yukon. 

/S.  confertijiora,  D  C,  Unalashka,  Cape  Mulgrave,  Kadiak. 

Ptarmica  borealis,  D  C,  Sitka. 

P.  sibirica.     Unalashka,  Fschsdioltz  Bay. 

P.  speciosa,  D  C,  given  by  Ledebour,  on  the  .inthority  of  J.  G.  Giiielin,  as  a  native  of  this 
region. 

Achillea  millefolium,  L.,  Norton  Sound,  Unalashka,  Sitka,  Fort  Yukon. 

Leucanthemum  integrifoHum,  D  C,  Kotzebue  Sound;  Saint  Lawrence  Island,  and  from  Point 
Barrow  to  Mfickenzie  River. 

/y.  arcticinn,  I)  C,  Norton  Sound  to  Washington  Inlet.  (Abundant  lU  Saint  Miclmel's  and 
throughout  the  Aleutian  Is'i.inds;  growing  siloiig  tlie  bencii  in  solitary  stnlks,  widi  roots  huh:U  ex- 
posed.    The  'caves  of  this  plant  at  Saint  Michael's  are  very  liesliy.     T.) 

Matrirariii  dincoidat,  I)  (!.,  Sitka,  Unalashka. 

M.  inodortttd,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  var.  eligitlntfi,  Norton  Sound.  Tliis  may  be  yet  entilled  to 
specitic  raidv,  as  Set'inann  suggests. 

Tiinaoeiu'ii  kotzehuensis,  Hk.ss.,  Cai)e  I'lspenberg, ./iVfc  Li'debonr  ex  Eschscholtz. 

T.  hurDUtnsc,  NuTT.,  Fort  Y'^ukon. 

Artemcsin  boreal  is,  Pallas.  Kotzebue  Sound,  Arctii;  coast,  and  wliat  seems  to  he  a  variety 
with  glonicrute,  almost  ciipitate,  intlorescencc  from  Sitka. 

A,  rxlgari^,  It.,  var.  tilcsii,  Fort  Saint  Michael's  and  western  and  northern  coasts. 

A.  glomerafa,  Lkdeb.?     Kotzebue  Sound. 

A.  and  rosacea,  Seem.,  Hot.  Herald,  tab.  G;  A,  glomerafa  of  Hooker  and  Am  )tt,  l>ot.  Beechey, 
but  not  of  Ledebour,  fide  Seemann.  This,  it  is  tliought  by  Dr.  Hooker,  may  prove  "an  arctic, 
tufted  variety  of  some  better-known  plant." 

A.  globularia,  CiiAM.,  Unalashka,  Saint  Lawience. 

A.  arcfica,  Less.,  Cape  Lisburne  and  Point  Hope,  and  possibly  Sitka. 

A.  chamissonis,  Bess.,  Seemann  states  that  though  A.  arcfica  and  A.  chamissonis  are  by  some 
authors  united,  they  may  be  at  once  distinguished  ')y  their  ditfcrent  habits. 

A.  absinthium,  L.,  Given  by  Ledebour  (Flora  Rossica),  on  the  authority  of  .1.  (r.  (rmelin,  as  a 
doubtful  native  of  Russian  America. 

(hiaphalium  sylraficum,  L.,  Russian  America,  ./Mc  Ledebour  ex  J.  G.  Gmelin. 

Anfennaria  alpina,  Gaert.,  including  ^l.  monocephala,  1)  C.  Kotzebue  Souml,  Saint  Lawrence 
Island  and  Unalashka.  (Common  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands,  growing  in  stools  among  the 
clefts  of  I'oekn  on  the  sides  of  the  drier  ravines.    T.) 

A,  dioica,  Garut.,  Islands  adjacent  to  the  American  coast,  Ledebour  ex  .).  (t.  (inu'lin.  (Com- 
mon throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands;  grows  in  the  clefts  of  the  di.er  rocks  on  the  faces  of 
blufts.    T.) 

A,  margnritacca,  R.  Br.,  Sitka,  Unalashka.  (.\bundant  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
growing  on  the  drier  hillsides.    Rare  at  Saint  Michael's.    T.) 


I 


i 


i! 


70 


CONTEIBUTIONS  TO  TUB  NATURAL  IlISTOUY  OF  ALASKA. 


H!i 


Arnica  angustifoUa,  Vahl.    Kotzebne  So".ud,  Fort  Yukon. 

A.  chamisaonis,  Less.,  Unalashka. 

A.  obtudfolia,  Less.,  Unalashka. 

A.  unalcMchkensis,  Less.,  Unalashka.  (Common  everywhere  on  the  Aleutian  Islands,  growing 
on  the  drier  hillsides.    T.) 

A.  latifolia,  Bong.,  Sitka. 

Senicio  resedifolms,  Less.,  Cape  Lisburne,  Kotzebue  Sound.    (Common  throughout  the  Aleu 
tian  Islands,  growing  on  hillsides.    Flowers  yellow.    T.) 

8.  frigidu^i,  Less.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Cape  Lisburne,  Siiint  Lawrence. 

S.  triangularis,  Hooker.    Sitka. 

S.  pseudo-arnica,  Less.,  Common  on  western  shore  of  Alaska;  also  Cliamisso  Island. 

8.  aureus,  L.,  Fort  Yukon. 

8.  lugens,  Richards.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Fort  Yukon. 

8, palnstri8,T)  ^J.,  Norton  Sound,  Kotzebne  Sound,  Wainwris'ht  Inlet,  northern  shore.  (Obtained 
only  at  Saint  Michael's,  growing  on  wet  situations,  2  to  3  feet  high  liigh.     Not  coinnion.    T.) 

8.  hookeri,  T.  and  G.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

8aussurea  alpina,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound.  Dr.  Rotlirock  here  iiieludes  8.  moniicola,  which  was 
found  by  Pullen  on  the  northern  shore  from  Point  Barrow  to  Mackenzie  River. 

8.  subsimiata,  Ledeb.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Bot.  Herald,  tab.  7. 

Taraxacum  densleonis,  Desk.,  Kotzebue  Soujid  to  Point  Hope  and  northern  coast.  Unalashka, 
var.  ceratophorum,  Norton  jound,  (and  all  the  Aleutian  Islands.     T.) 

T.  pulustre,  D  C,  Kotzebne  Sound.  (Common  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands,  growing  in 
the  dry  clefts  of  rocks  on  the  hillsides  and  faces  of  cliffs.  The  flowers  are  ricli  golden-yellow  and 
form  of  mass  of  bloom.  The  leaves  are  used  by  the  Alents,  who  steam  ov  wilt  tiie  leaves  and  ap|)ly 
them  to  indolent  ulcers.    T.) 

T.  lyratum,  I)  C,  Unalashka. 

Mulgedium pulclieUum,  Nutt.,  Point  Barrow  to  Mac',  iizie  River. 

Nahnhis  alatus.  Hooker.    Unalashka,  Sitka. 

Apargidium  horeale,  T.  and  tr.;  Sitka. 

Hieraceum  triste,  Willd.,  Unalashka,  Norfolk  Sound.  (Plentiful  at  Atkha,  Attn,  and  Una- 
lashka. Grows  on  the  wet  hillsides.  Flowers  yellow.  At  Saint  Michael's  this  plant  is  quite 
rare.    T.) 

(Cnivus  kamtchaticHs  {clrsium,  Ledeb.).  This  plant  (for  tlie  first  tiiue  detected  on  the  North 
American  side)  was  obtained  only  at  Attn,  the  westermnosl  ishmd  of  the  (tiiain.  It  attains  a 
height  of  7  feet  and  has  a  remarkably  vigorous  growth,  the  stems  attaining  a  diameter  of  .'}  inches 
and  developing  a  great  amount  of  woody  fiber.  The  leaves  are  very  large,  the  spines  long  and 
sharp,  producing  a  very  painful  wound.    T.) 

CAMPANULACE^Xi. 

Campanula  dasyantha,  M.  and  Bleb.,  Unalashka,  Cape  Prince  of  Wales. 

0.  rotundifolia,  L.,  0.  heterodoxa,  Vest.,  Sitka. 

C.  uniflora,  L.,  Kotzebne  Sound,  Capo  Lisburne,  Unalashka. 

C.  lasiocarpa,  Cham.,  Kotzebne  Sound,  Unalashka.  (Common  fnroiighout  the  entire  Aleutian 
Islands;  grows  solitary  on  the  hilltops.    Rare  at  Saint  Michael's.    T.) 

(C.  pilosa,  Pall.,  Abundant  at  Unalashka;  grows  on  the  lower  Jiillfops,  which  are  barren  of 
other  vegetation,  usually  solitary.    T.) 

ERICACE^. 

Va<xinium  vitisidaa,  L.,  Unalashka,  Saint  Lawrence,  Sitka,  Norton  Soniul  to  Point  Barrow, 
and  on  the  northern  coast.  (This  plant  is  abuiulant  throngiiout  the  coast  line  of  the  mainhind 
and  on  the  eastern  islands  of  the  Aleutian  chain.  Among  the  western  islands  it  is  not  so  i)lenti- 
ful  and  not  at  all  common  at  Attn.  It  attains  a  height  of  several  inches,  growing  in  small 
patches  or  else  scattered  among  the  other  plants  of  the  lower  hills.  The  berries  are  deep  red  and 
intensely  acid,  but  of  good  flavor  after  a  taste  for  it  is  acquired.    Tiie  luitives  gather  great  quanti- 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


71 


ties  of  the  berries  for  food,  and  in  some  localities  are  in  demand  for  preservation  by  putting  them 
in  pure  water  and  kept  for  winter's  use  by  the  white  peojde  of  Alaska.  When  cooked  with  a  suf- 
ficient quantity  of  sugar  tliey  make  a  good  pie  or  au  excellent  jelly  or  jam.    T.) 

V.  myrtiUoidcH,  Hooker.    Sitka. 

V.  niyrtillun,  L.,  Sitka. 

V.  chammonis,  Bong.,  Sitka,  Unalashka. 

V.  ovali/olium,  Smith-    Sitka. 

V,  parvifolmm,  oiaiTH.     Sitka. 

V.  saliduum,  t^iiAM.  and  SCHLECHT.,  Unalashka. 

T'.  cwmntosum,  Mioiix.,  Sitka. 

V.  ulifjinomm,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  northern  coast  (Plentiful  at  Unalashka 
and  Attn  ;  less  common  on  the  intoraiediate  islands.  Berries  ripen  in  latter  part  of  August  and 
early  September.    Tiiey  are  gathered  in  great  quantities  by  the  natives.    T.) 

Oxycoccm  vulyiris,  PuKSii.     Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Unalashka. 

Arctostuphylos  alpiiin,  Si'UKNG.,  Unalashka,  Norton  Sound  to  Point  Barrow,  Arctic  coast. 

A.  uvanmi,  Si'BENCf.,  Unalashka,  Cape  Prince  of  Wales,  Arctic  coast. 

Andromeda  polifolid,  L.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound.  (Common  at  Saint  Michael;  rarer  among  the 
Aleutian  Islands.    Grows  in  little  clumps.    Flowers  purplish.    T.) 

Cosnandra  calycuhtta,  Donn.     Kotzebue  Sound. 

C<U8io])e  lycajwdioides,  Donn.  Kotzebue  Sound.  (Plentiful  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands. 
Grows  in  large  masses  on  tlie  low  liilltops.     Flowers  white.     Not  common  at  Saint  iMiciiael.    T.) 

C,  ti'Imgoiia,  DoNN.    Saint  Liiwu'iice,  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Point  Barrow,  Arctic  c-oast. 

0.  mertenniamt,  Donn.    Sitka. 

C.  stelleriana,  D  C.,  Sitka. 

PhyUodoce paUnsiuna,  DoNN.     Sitka,  Unalashka. 

Men~iesiu  J'erriujinea,  Smith,     Sitka,  Unalashka. 

Loisclenrin  jn-ocumbcns,  Desv.,  Cape  Lisburne,  Unalashka,  Chaniisso  Island.  (Occurs  plenti- 
tifully  in  small  patches  tlirougliont  the  i\leutian  Islands.     Flowers  white.     T.) 

Rhododendron  Inpponicnm,  W'AU]..,  Port  Clarence. 

L'.  IvmtKchativum,  I'Ai.L.,  Unalashka.  (I'lentiliil  at  Unalashka  and  Attn;  less  so  at  .Vtklia. 
Grows  along  the  rocky  edges  of  elitls.     Flowers  reddish-jjurple,  quite  showy.     T.) 

Kalmia  glaum,  AiT.,  Sitka. 

Ledum  latifoUum,  AiT.,  Sitka. 

L.  pahiHtre,  L.,  Norton  Sound  to  Point  Barrow  and  northern  coast.  This  and  the  preceding 
species  should  probably  be  united.  (Abundant  at  Saint  ^Michael's;  common  at  Unalashka,  Atkha, 
and,  Attn.  A  tea  is  made  of  the  flowers  of  tin.,  plant.  The  infusion  has  a  slightly  terebinthine 
taste,  which  becomes  pleasant  enough  alter  a  time.  Among  some  of  the  white  people  it  has  a 
reputed  tonic  ett'ect  on  the  .system.    T.) 

Cladothamnun  pyrokvJloruK,  BoNG.,  Sitka. 

Pyrola  rotundi/olia,  L.,  Unalashka,  Kotzebuo  Sound,  and  northern  coast. 

Fyrola  rotundi/olia,  L.,  var.  braotata,  Gray.  (Common  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
growing  in  wet  places.     Flowers  greenish.    T.) 

P.  minor,  L.,  Unalashka. 

P.  nccunda,  L.,  Sitka,  Kotzebuo  Sound. 

Moneses  grandiflora,  Salisb.,  Sitka. 


LEINTIBTTLACEiB. 

Pingnicula  vulgaris,  L.,  Sitka.  (Abundant  at  Unalashka,  rare  at  Attn  and  Atkha,  growing  in 
wet  places  bare  of  other  vegetation.  The  leaves  exude  a  viscid  substance  which  caiis^^s  many  small 
dipterous  insects  to  adhere  to  them.     Flowers  blue.    T.) 

P.  microceras,  Willd.,  Unalashka. 

P.  macroceras,  CuAM.,  Unalashka. 

P.  rilhmi,  L.,  Islands  of  Chaniisso  and  Unalashka,  Norton  ?ound. 


t. 


72 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TBE  NATUItAL  lilSTOKY  OF  ALASKA 


Hi- 


i!J. 


PRIMULACBiB. 

Primula  nivalis,  x'ALL.,  Uiialaslika,  Saint  Lawrence,  Kotzebne  Sound. 

P.  stricta,  Hornem.,  after  J.  I).  Hooker,  Dr.  Rothrock  includes  uiuler  this  apecies  P.  home 
manniana  and  P.  mistasfiinica,  both  of  0.  and  S.  and  of  MiOHX.    Kotzebue  Sound. 

Androsace  chamc^amie,  Willd.,  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Wainwright  Inlet.  (Plentiful  at  Una- 
lashka,  rarer  at  Attn.    Grows  among  the  drier  rocks  on  the  faces  of  cliffs.    T.) 

A.  aeptenlrionalia,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound  and  Chamisso  Island,  Port  Yukon. 

A,  vilhm  is  stated  by  Ledebour  to  have  been  found  at  Kotzebue  Sound.  It  is  likely  an  over- 
sight, as  Hooker  and  Arnott  do  not  contain  it  in  their  list  of  plants  collected  there. 

Dodecatheon  meadia,  L.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  and  Cape  Lisburne.  Dr.  Rothrock  includes 
in  this  species  D.  integu/olium  and  B.frigidum,  and  regards  them  as  varieties  of  a  widely  distrib- 
uted polymorphic  species.  (Common  at  Saint  Michael,  Unalashka,  Atkha,  and  Attn.  At  Saint 
Michael's  I  have  known  the  ground  to  be  covered  with  a  patch  of  snow  on  the  1st  day  of  June, 
which  on  the  12th  had  melted,  and  this  plant  was  then  in  blossom.  iV.t  Atkha  Island  I  obtained 
specimens  at  an  elevation  of  1,500  feet,  where  nothing  but  scattered  stalks  of  this  plant  would  grow 
on  the  barren  areas,  having  little  soil  mixed  with  the  sharp-edged  stones.  The  plants  in  sucli  sit- 
uations were  scarcely  an  irch  in  height.    T.) 

Olaiix  maritima,  L.,  Sitka. 

Trientalis  europwa,  L.,  Sitka,  Norton  Sound. 

(T.  europaa,  var.  m-ctini,  (iuAV.  Grows  abundantly  in  wet  places  among  all  the  Aleutian 
Islands.    T.) 

OENTIANACE^. 

Oentiania  amarella,  L.,  Sitka. 

O.  acuta,  MiOHX.,  Unalaska. 

G.  tenella,  Roltb.,  Kotzebue  Sound.  (Common  among  the  Aleutian  Islands,  but  rare  at  Saint 
Michael's.    T.) 

O,  detoma,  Fries.,  I'oint  Barrow  to  Mackenzie  River,  Fort  Yukon. 

0. propinqua,  llioiiAUTLS.,  G.  riirlchldiia.     Kofzcbiie  Sound,  Point  Clarence,  Norton  Sound. 

G.  aleutica,  Cuam.,  UnaliisliUn. 

0.  prostraf ',  IIainke.  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound.  (Common  among  the  Aleutian  Islands. 
Grows  in  wet  situations.    T.) 

6.  glauca,  Pall.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Waiuwright  Inlet. 

G.  platypetala,  Griesb.,  Sitka. 

G.  douglassiana,  Bong.,  Sitka. 

Pleurogyne  rotata,  Griesb.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Buckland  River,  Arctic  coast.  (Rather  common 
among  the  high  grasses  on  dry  hill-sides  at  Saint  Michael.     Flowers  white.    T.) 

Swertia  perenim,  L.,  Kadiak.  Dr.  Kellogg  also  obtained  *'.  j)ere«rtj,v  L.,  var.  ohtma  from 
Kadiak. 

Villarsia  cristagalli,  Griesb.,  Sitka. 

Menyantltes  trifoUata,  L.,  Unalashka,  Sitka. 

POLEMONIACE2I. 

Phlox  sibirica,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

Polemonium  caruleum,  L.,  Norton  Sound  to  Point  Barrow ;  islands  of  Saint  George,  Una- 
lashka, and  Chamisso ;  Fort  Yukon.  Dr.  Rothrock  recognizes  but  two  species  of  this  genus 
belonging  to  northern  North  America,  the  one,  P.  reptans,  L.,  which  is  well  marked,  and  the 
other  P.  cmrukum,  L.,  as  made  u])  of  all  the  otiiers.  The  numerous  forms  of  the  latter  aggregate 
species  are  easily  connected.  Even  P.  pulchelluM,  Bunge,  which  is  perhaps  the  best  marked 
variety,  shades  oft"  by  invisible  gradations  into  the  others.  (Common  throughout  the  Aleutian 
Islands.    Grows  to  3  feet  in  height.     Flowers  blue.    T.) 

Diapensia  lapponica,  L.,  Saint  Lawrence.  (Obtained  only  at  Atkha  Island  among  the  clefts  of 
rocka  on  the  faces  of  cliffs.    T.) 


CONTltlBUTlONS  TO  TIIK  NATUKAL  III8T01tY  OF  ALASKA. 


73 


BORRAGINACB^. 

Mertcnsia  maritima,  Donn.  Sitka,  Norton  Sound  to  Point  Harrow,  and  Caiic  Batliiirst. 

M.  jKiniciilata,  DONN.  ^f.  pihsa,  I)  C,  Kot/.cbno  Sound,  Kort  Ynivon. 

i}f.  sibirica,  DoNN.  M.  denticulata,  IJonn,  Kotzebnc  Sound. 

MyoHotix  sylvatica,  IIoffm.,  CJape  Lisburno  and  Arctic  coast. 

Kchinoapermnm  rcdownlii,  I>i;iiM.,f    Fort  Yukon. 

Kritrivhiiim  viVo.iiim,  HUNOH.,  Dr.  Uotlirock  Iiorc.  includes,  aftvr  -F.  I).  Hooker,  1.  c,  K.  tirefi- 
oidcs,  A,  1>  C,  which  form  is  found  at  Cape  Lisburnc  and  ishind  of  Saint  Lawrence.  Tab.  Ill, 
Bot.  IlerahL 

E.plehejum,  Alph.  D  C,  Unahishka. 

HTDROPHYLLACEiB. 

Romanzoffia  nnaUiwhketms,  Cham.,  Unalashka.  (Coniniou  on  edges  and  in  croviccs  of  clifls. 
White  Mowers.    T.) 

Ji.  nitehensix,  Cham.,  Sitka.  (Abundant  in  the  clefts  on  the  sides  of  ravines  and  faces  of  bluffs 
of  all  the  Aleutian  Islaiuls.    T.) 

SCROPHULARIACEiG. 

I'enMemon  J'rnksirnx,  Lamu,,  Unalashka.  Xot  found  since  I'allas  is  said  to  liiive  discovered 
it  in  Kamchatka  and  in  the  island  of  Unalashka. 

MhnuluN  httens,  L.,  M,  giittatun,  D  C.  Cape  Saint  Flias,  Unalashka,  Ivadiak,  Sitka.  (Very 
abundant  at  Unalashka,  Atkha,  and  rare  at  Attn,  {irowinj;  in  the  coldest  springs  of  water  that 
issue  from  the  hill-sides.  At  Atklni  this  plant  is  wonderfully  abundant,  forming  large  patches, 
which  in  the  Howering  season  (early  -lune  to  the  middle  of -July)  are  a  nniss  of  golden  yellow.    T.) 

Veronica  (OiafldUlsy  Ti.,  Sitka.  (Common  in  wet  places  throughout  the  entire  Aleutian  chain. 
T.) 

Vero7iica  americana,  ScnwEiNiTZ.     Sitka. 

V.  beccabunga,  L.,  Unalashka. 

V,  stelleri,  I'all.,  Unalashka.     (Common  among  the  Aleutian  Jslands.     Flowers  white.     T.) 

V.  alpina,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka.  Common  on  the  hill-sides  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands. 
Flowers  white.    T.) 

V.  serpyJlifoUn,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka.     (Common  throughout  the  Meutian  Islands.    T.) 

Casiillejapalliila,  Kuntii.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Chamisso  Island,  Arctit!  coast.  Fort  Yukon. 
Dr.  Kothro(5k  thinks  that  .T.  I).  Hooker  has  justly  included  with  this  siiei^ics  C.  svptenfrlonalis, 
LiNDL.  Professor  (Iray  has  also  united  them  in  the  last  edition  of  his  Manual  of  Hotany  ;  also,  in 
his  revision  of  the  genus  (see  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  second  series,  vol.  xxxiv,  p.  4-1). 

C.  i»irviJlora,  HoNfJ.,  Sitka.  This  is  api)arently  the  commonest  species  and  of  widest  range 
west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  extending  fiom  Itussian  America  to  Southern  California,  Cray,  1.  e. 

(fJttphrasia  officinalis,  L.,  common  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands,  growing  in  wet  places. 
Flowers  white  or  vellow.    T.) 

h'hinantlnis  cristi-fftilli,  L.,  Unalashka.  (Throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands,  most  .abundant  at 
Atkha.    Growing  in  wet  places.     Flowers  yellow.    Attains  a  height  of  it  inches.    T.) 

I'eflicularis  vcrtictUaUt,  L.,  Sitka  and  the  islands  generally;  also,  Kotzebue  Sound.  (Common 
at  Saint  Michael.    Crowing  in  solitary  stalks  on  wet  places.     Flowers  i)ink  to  red.    T.) 

r,  vhamissonis,  Stev.,  Unalashka.  (Common  throughout  Alaska.  Crows  in  isolated  stalks 
in  wet  places.  The  tlowers  are  reddish,  and  at  Saint  Michael's  is  among  the  first  plants  to  bloom, 
the  flowers  appearing  before  the  leaves  have  grown  half  an  inch  in  length.    T.) 

r,  liediciUata,  Bungk,  P.  naniita,  Bong.,  in  Veg.,  Sitka,  nou — M.  A.  Bieb.,  Jide  Ledeb.  F'l. 
Kossica.    Sitka. 

P.  subnuda,  Benth.,  Sitka. 

P.  palu8tris,  L.,  Arctic  America.     At  Bay  of  Good  Hope,  ./ir/e  Ledebour  in  Fl.  Ross. 

P.  euphramoides,  Stepii.,  Norton  Soun<l,  Kotzebue  Sound,  islands  of  Chamisso  and  Kadiak. 

P.  sudetica,  L.,  Cape  Lisbiirne,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Arctic  coast,  island  of  Saint  Lawrence.  J. 
S.  Mis.  155 10 


I 


I 
I' 


Si 


74 


CONTKIBUTION8  TO  THE  NATUltAL  HISTOllY  OF  ALASKA. 


tide  J.  D.  Hooker. 


I),  llookor  sujjKPsts  uniting  tills  witli  /'.  lungsdorffii,  and  Dr.  Hotlirock,  on  liis  iiutliority,  lulniitH  tlio 
reduction.  (Common  iit  Atkliu,  Attn,  aiul  Unalasiikii.  At  Saint  Micliael's  tliiH  plant  iittaiuH  a 
height  of  only  a  few  inches,     rioweis  pink  to  red.    T.) 

r.  hirsrta,  L.,  including  here  P,  Janata,  Wii.Li).,  as  done  by  Hcuthaiu, 
Islaiids  of  Saint  George,  Saint  liawreuco,  Kotzebue  Sound,  and  Arctic;  coast. 

P.  revHicolor,  Waiilknu.,  Kotzebuo  Sound,  island  of  Saint  Lawrence. 

r.  capitatUf  Adams.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Arctic  coast,  Unalasbka. 

OROBANCHACB21. 

BoHchnialda  glabra,  0.  A.  Mkyeb.,  Sitka  and  Kotzebue  Sound. 

SBLAaiNACEiB. 

Oymnandra  gmelini,  CllAM.  et  SOHLUCHT.,  Unalashka,  Saint  Lawrence  Island. 
G.  stelkri,  CuAM.  et  Soulkcut.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  island  of  Saint  Lawreuce. 

LABIATiB. 

Dravocephahim  2>arriHornm,  L.,  I'ort  Yukon. 
Brnndhi  nilijarig,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka. 
Oaleopsls  tctrahit.,  Sitka.    Probably  introduced.  . 

PliUMBAOINACBA. 

Staiicc  armcria,  L.,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  and  northern  coast. 

PL  ANT  AOINACEiB . 

Plantago  major,  L.,  Sitka,  banks  of  Yukon  liiver. 

r.  macrocarpa,  CiiAM.  et  SciiLEnrr.,  Sitka,  Unalashka.     (Common  among  the  Aleutian 


Islands ;  growing  in  wet  situations.    Flowers  white. 
r.  marithna,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka. 
P.  media,  L.,  Russian  America, /^e  .1.  G.  Gmelin, 


T.) 


POLYaONACBiB. 

Oayria  reniformis,  Uook.,  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Saint  Lawrence,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Cape  Lis- 
burne,  Arctic  coast. 

Rumex  sulid/olius,  Weinm.,  Sitka. 

B.  acctom,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

li.  domcitticuH,  Hartm.,  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Wainwright  Inlet. 

Polygonum  historta,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Point  Bairow  and  no'-therii  coast. 

P.  viriparum,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka,  along  tlie  coast  generally. 

P.  polymorphum,  Ledeh.,  var.  lapathiJ'olUim,  Ledeh.,  Kotzebue  riound.  P.alpbium,  Hook,  et 
Arnott,  in  Beeehey'a  voyage,  fide  Ledebour.    Kotzebue  Sound. 

P.  triptirocarpxim.  Gray.  This  species  is  not  fully  proved  to  be  distinct  from  P.  polymor- 
Ijhum  var.  lapathi/olium,  but  an  additional  series  of  specimens  may  i)rove  it  to  be.    Coal  Bay. 

P.  aviculare,  L.,  Sitka. 

bmpbtracb;& 

Empctritm  nigrum,  L.,  Sitka,  Saint  Lawrence,  Unalashka,  Norton  Sound,  Point  Barrow, 
Arctic  coast.  (This  heather  is  found  abundantly  throughout  all  the  treeless  portions  of  Alaska. 
On  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  obtiiins  its  maximum  growth.  The  lower  hills  are  covered  with  largo 
patches  of  many  rods  in  area  with  this  s])eci('s.  Tiie  Iterries  are  black  in  color,  have  a  slightly 
aoid  taste  when  ripe,  being  prodiu-ed  in  profusion  on  the  stems,  so  mucih  so  that  nearly  a  handful 
may  be  gathered  at  a  tinu'.  (heat  quantities  are  gathered  i>y  the  natives,  who  use  them  either  raw 
or  else  cooked,  thougli  rarely  in  the  latter  manner.  These  berries  form  the  food  of  several  species 
of  birds,  such  as  geese,  ptarmigans,  and  plovers.    The  natives  of  Aliaska  and  some  of  the  eastern 


1 


CONTltlJJUTlONS  TOTllIO  NATURAL  11I8TOUYOF  ALASKA. 


75 


iHlaiulH  of  tlio  Almitiau  cliaiii  use  tliiM  heiitlifr  lor  fuel.  Tlie  womcii  fjiiUier  fjrt'iit  liiiiuilies  by 
pulliii((  it  from  llie  frroniul  niitl  carrying  it  to  tlicir  Iiouhom,  wIk^o  it  in  iiiiini-diatrly  iiHid.  In  rare 
iiistaiKios  it  iN  Ivcpt  tor  a  few  days  {Imt  only  liecause  tln^io  in  a  Hnlllcifncy  of  otlior  fu»il  to  l)o  used 
in  itH  stead),  until  it  iH  dried  out.  it  is  UHed  in  tiiu  foliowini;  manner:  The  pot  or  l^ettlu  contain- 
in{!;  water  or  food  to  be  boiled  Ih  placed  on  a  Hmall  Htick  Htuck  in  the  side  of  tlie  sod  chimney  of 
the  hut;  a  few  shreds  of  the  |)Iant  are  litjhted,  it  burn.s  rapidly,  and  has  a  ([uick,  darting  llame,  like 
the  branches  of  pine  trees.  The  l)unch  of  liglitcd  fuel  is  held  under  the  vessel,  and,  as  fast  as  it 
is  consninetl  by  tlame  another  wisi>  is  li^^hted,  until  the  boiling;  is  linisiied.  This  work  is  usually 
performed  by  the  smaller  boys  or  n'nln.  This  kind  of  fuel  is  not  used  by  the  Attn  people,  the 
Atkan  people  beinjf  the  farthest  to  the  west  who  employ  it  for  that  purpose.  The  Attn  peojde 
have  never  u.sed  it,  and  oidy  those  of  Attn  who  have  been  to  the  eastward  know  how  to  use  it,  as 
it  requires  considerable  skill  to  kee\)  the  heat  properly  applied  to  the  vessel  containing  the  water 
or  food. 

At  Atkha  Island  I  saw  .several  large  patcshes,  which  had  a  deeper  green  and  seemed  to  be 
of  more  vigorous  growth.  On  iiupiiry  I  found  that  the  people  had  in  few  years  past  taken  the 
lieather  otf  from  those  areas,  and  that  it  was  being  renewed  with  a  heavier  growth.    T.) 

(liryanthuH  alcutivnx,  Gkay.  Common  on  the  high  hill-tops  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  Flowers 
white.    T.) 

SALICACEiB. 

Salix  myrtilloidcs,  L.,  Kotzebuo  Bound. 

S.  lapponivum,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

tV.  glmtca,  1j.,   Cape  Espenberg  and  Chaini.sso  Island. 

S.  arctica,  Pam,.,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

IS.  myninites,  L.,  Saint  Lawrence  Island  fulv  Ledebour. 

8.  oralifoUa,  Tkautvklt.;  S.  uraursi,  Seemann,  JJot.  Herald  (Jith  Anderson).  Kotzebuo 
Sound,  Cape  Espenberg,  Unalashka. 

8.  rhamni/olia  (I'ALL.t).     Unalashka, 

8.  ulavialin,  Anders.,  Between  Cape  IJarrow  and  Mackenzie  Kiver,  "Captain  PuUen." 

8.  reticulata,  L.,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Hound,  Cape  Lisburiie,  Arctic  coast. 

8.  i)hlehoi>ltyUtt,  Anueks.,  Unalashka,  Saint  Jjawrence,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

8.  polar  in,  Waiii..,  Wainwright  Inlet. 

8.  speviom,  Hook,  et  Aunott,  in  Hot.  Beechey.     Kotzt  )uo  Sound. 

nV.  rifharihimi,  Hook.,  Kotzel>ue  Sound  to  Cniie  Ijisburnt^ 

(iS.  ro<«H<///b/i«,  Tkautvelt,  var.  ictiisa  (?).  This  si)ecies  of  willow  was  collected  at  Atkha 
Island,  where  it  is  common,  growing  among  the  heather  {Eiiipvtnim  iilt/rum),  with  its  heads  of 
cottony  catkins  peering  Just  above  the  surface  of  the  other  vegetation.  I  did  not  observe  this 
species  ou  any  other  island,  though  it  doubtless  occurs.    T.) 

8.  barclajii,  Andkks.,  Kadiak. 

S.phyllicoides,  Andeus.,  Western  Arcitic  America  (Avatscha  Bay,  Seeniann). 

8.  cordata,  Mum,.,  var.  maihtiiziana.  Point  IJairow  and  along  Arctic  coast.  This  form 
Anderson  regards  as  a  hybrid  between  8.  vordatu  and  8.  rar/ants. 

(8alia;  pallasii,  Andekh.,  var.  olicordata,  Anueus.,  This  siiecies  of  willow  attains  the  greatest 
size  of  any  among  the  Aleutian  Islands.  The  growth  is  exceedingly  (irooked,  rarely  straight  for 
more  than  a  foot,  attaining  a  diameter  of  li  to  3  inches,  but  often  decayed  within.  In  all  the  valleys 
and  wider  ravines  this  species  is  found  in  al)undance.  The  roots  form  an  intricate  mass,  often  nuich 
exposed,  and,  with  the  crooked  branches  and  trunks,  form  an  impenetrable  thicket  of  considerable 
area.  When  drift-wood  is  scarce  the  Aleuts  grub  up  these  shrubs  (for  they  are  not  tit  to  be  termed 
oven  an  approach  to  trees),  to  be  used  as  llrewood.  When  the  wood  is  well  seasoned  it  produces  a 
bright  hot  lire,  making  a  much  better  heat  than  any  of  the  drift-wood  which  is  cast  upon  the  beach. 
Venniminof  states  that  in  former  years  the  willows  grew  to  such  size  in  one  of  the  ravines  opening 
ou  the  west  side  of  Captain's  Harbor  at  Unalashka  Island  that  the  Kussians  and  Aleuts  procured 
sufUcient  of  these  trnnks  to  be  used  advantageously  in  making  bidaras  (open  skin  boiits),  and 
hidarkan  (skin-covered  canoes).    I  visited  the  locality  to  lind  traces  of  such  former  growth  and  found 


9  : 


76 


OONTKinUTIONS  TO  Til K  NATnUAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


the  willows  to  bo  of  but  little  better  hI/o  tliiiii  in  other  i)lace.s  near  by.  It  is  a  fact  that  on  the 
(ops  and  liiKh  Hides  ctf  some  of  the  hills  just  beyond  the  itresent  graveyard  at  liiuliuk  are  to  be 
found  at  the  i)reNeni  day  large  roots  of  the  willow  exposed  to  the  air  and  lint  little  dec^ayed.  At 
those  heights  the  willows  do  not  at  present  grow,  and  no  species  of  willow  is  now  found  growing 
near  them.  Those  roots  are  of  ciinal  size  of  any  that  now  grow  in  the  ravines  nnmy  hundred  feet 
feet  below.  I  may  add  that  I  have  heard  visitors  to  those  places  nniUe  tln^  assertion  that  those 
roots  are  the  roots  of  oaks.    T.) 

8.  HitvhensM,  Ledkii.,  Sitka. 

PopiiluM  balsamif'ira,  L.,  Chilcaht,  Yukon  River. 

URTICACBiB. 

Urtiva  dioiva,  L.,  Sitka, yiV/t?  Hongard. 

BBTULACBiB. 

Jietiila  glandulona,  Miciix.,  Yukon  River. 
li.  nana,  L.,  Norton  Sound,  (Miamisso  Island,  Point  Harrow. 
li.  ermaui,  Cham.,  Unalashka. 

Alnus  viridis,  D  (J.,  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Norton  Sound,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Yukon  River,  North- 
ern coast. 

A.  rubra,  HoN(}.,  Sitka. 

A.  incann,  VVilld.,  Kotzebue  Souiul. 


M 


Myrkagah;  L.,  Sitka. 


MYRICACB.ai. 


CONIFBR.!]. 


Abies  ennadensis,  Miciix.,  Sitka. 
A.  mcrtensimia,  IJoNa.,  Sitka. 
A,  sitchensis,  I5oN(J.,  Sitka. 

A.  albn,  Miciix.,  Northwestern  Alaska,  where,  according  to  Seeniann,  it  grows  from  20  to  '2r> 
feet  liigh. 

riinis  ccmbra,  li.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  vide  liongard  and  Hooker  ami  Arnott. 

P.  tontorta,  l)oi'<ii..,  Sitka.  Dr.  Rothrock  thinks  this  can  hardly  be  /'.  Impn  ot  Ait,,  as  is 
alleged  by  some  authors. 

Thija  creclsa,  HoN(f.,  Sitka  ami  Southern  Russian  America. 

Junipcrus  nana,  Willd.,  Sitka. 

SALSOLACE^. 

Teloxyx  arMnta,  MngiTiN-TANDnN.     Russian  America.     (Whore!) 
Atriplcv  Uttoralia,  L.,  Kotziibue  and  Norton  Sound. 
A.  (jmelini,  0.  A.  .Mkveu,  Rong.,  Veg.  Sitka.     Kotzebue  Sound,  Sitka. 
Uorlspermum  hyxnojii/oliinii,  Stku,,  Point  Harrow  to  Mackenzie  River. 
BUtum  capitation,  I;.,  Fort  Yukon. 

TYPHACESJ. 

Spargaiiiiim  natans,  L.,  Ivotzebue  Sonml,  Unalashka. 

AROIDB.3}. 

Lysichiton  l-amtschatcenxe,  Sciiott  ;  nraconticum  kamtchatvvnr,  L. ;  Symplocarpus  kamtuchnti- 
CMS,  BoNO/.RD;  Arctiodracnn  lamischaficum,  Gray  on  the  botany  of  Japaii  in  Menu>irs  of  Ameri- 
cau  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciiences,  new  series,  vol.  L',  i)p.  108,  4(t!>.  Sitka.  Dr.  Rothrock  gives 
the  description  aud  souu',  reniarks  on  the  aflinities  of  this  plaut,  by  Professor  Gray,  1.  e. 


CONTUIHUTIONS  TOTIIK  NATURAL  IlIHTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


77 


NAIDACBA. 


Zonti'rii  niarinn,  h.,  UimliiMlikii. 

I'otiimotjrltni  ndttmn,  L,,  Mitkii. 

/'.  rii/rsceHH,  IIknmi'.r.,  UimliiNliiikii. 


Triijlorhiii  'iiiiritiiintm,  L.,  Sitka. 
T.  piilunln ,  li.,  TTimliiHlika, 


JUNCAOINACBA. 


ORCHID  ACE  A. 


Corallorhixa  mcrtemUtHn,  liiNPL.,  Hitkii. 

v.  iiinalit,  1{.  Hr.,  Kotzfhiif  Sound,  Uiiiiliislikii. 

Micronli/Hs  iliphyllos,  LiNDi,.,  Uiiiilii.slikii. 

Coh/pno  horealiM,  Samsii.,  .Sitka. 

Orcliis  Idtifiilid,  L.,  Unalslika. 

riatanthoa  ohtitsata,  LiNDi,.,  Kot/.cbuo  Soniid. 

1\  HchiscluiKniDidna,  LiNDl..,  Unaltislika. 

1\  Kooihjii,  TjINDI..,  Sitka,  Uiialaslika. 

r.  (lildtata,  LlNUL.,  Sitka,  Uiialaslika. 

I'eiisti/lux  clidiixinniin,  LiNUL.,  Cnaluslika. 

J*.  brartenluH,  Lindl.,  Uiialaslika. 

Linteid  cordata,  It.  liii.,  Sitka,  Uiiala.slika. 

L.  i'8vhscli()ll:idna,  CllAM.,  Ciiaislika. 

SpirdiillivH  I oiiidiizo(liand,  (IllAM.,  Uiialaslika. 

('i/priiwtliinii  t/iiltdluiii,i''\VMiry.,  I'lialaslika.  (AluiiKlanl  on  tlic  diiiT  hill  sidt-s  at  Uiialaslika; 
coiiiinon  on  tlu;  liificlitT  jiartsol'  tlin  valU'.vs  at  Attn  ;  not  found  on  tin;  intfi  iiii'diate  islands.  I'low- 
ei'8  {^recMiisli-wliite,  with  dots  of  brown  or  rusty  color.    'I'.) 

IRIDACB^. 

Sisyrinchium  hermuilidna.  Ij.,  var.  ancepa.     Sitka. 

IriH  sihiricd,  L.,  Norton  and  Kot/.cltiic  Sounds.  (A  s|H'ci('s  ai  Iris  is  (|nitt'  plcntifnl  on  all  the 
Aleutian  Islands.     I  am  not  aware  to  which  s[ii'(Mt^s  it  should  be  reterrcd.    T.) 

SMILACEiE. 

Streptopim  dmplexifolius,  1)  C.  Sitka  and  Unlalashka.  (Hare  at  Saint  Micliael's.  Aiiiouk  the 
Aleutian  Islands  it  ^'ows  aloiifj  the  deeper  ravines,  aniont;  the  rank  vef^ctatimi,  iittainin^i  .1  heijfht 
of  over  three  feet.     T.) 

S.  ro-seux,  Miciix.,  Sitka. 

Smildcina  hi/olid,  Kku.,  Sitka.     Dr.  Rotlirock  adds:.  "The  laifje-leaved  form  aiijwars  most 
coiiiiuou  by  far,  if  we  may  Jiidse  from  the  iiroiiortion  of  it  in  the  collect  ions  made  at  Sitka.'' 

{Sitiilacina  Uplia,  \&T.occi(l<'ntalix.  This  insifj^niticant  plant  was  obtaiiietl  only  at  Attn  Island. 
It  is  quite  rare,  growing  on  the  level  wet  tops  of  the  lower  hills.    T.) 

(Urularia  ampledi/olid,  L.,  Throughout  the  niainland  coast  south  of  the  Uering  Strait;  very 
l)lentiful  on  all  the  Aleutian  Islands;  grows  along  the  bases  of  ravines  and  among  other  rank 
vegetation.    Fruit  bright  red,  edible;  flowers  greenish.     T.) 

{Maianthemum  hifoHuni,  1)  C.    Not  comiiion  ;  tliroughont  the  Aleutian  Islands.     T.) 

LILIACE.S]. 

Lloydia  serotina,  Riohknu.,  Saint  Lawrenco  Island,  Uiialaslika,  (Uipo  Lisburno,  Kotzebue  Sound, 
((irows  in  clusters  on  ledges  of  highest  blutts.  Flowers  while;  obtained  only  at  Uiialaslika;  not 
observeil  elsewhere.    T.) 

Fritillaria  kamtitchatcensis,  FLSon.,  Sitka,  Unalaslika,  Capo  rriiice  of  Wales.  (Common  at 
Saint  Michael's,  there  attaining  a  height  of  only  a  few  iiuslies,  with  bulb  proportionately  small. 


' 


78 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NVTUIlATi  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


r 


'li 


I 


Tlie  flower  Imng  Hiiiall  niul  of  more  ^'rcuiiiHli  color.  Tlio  natlvcH  of  Norton  Hoiiinl  cut  tlio  ixill), 
hut  not  to  Hucli  a  (Ic^trco  iih  tlut  niitivcN  of  \\m  Alontian  IslanilH,  wlioro  tliiH  plant  Ih  fonntl  in  groat- 
THt  ahun*lan<-«  and  HJ/.e  on  all  tlio  JHlantlH.  Tlio  nativcH  (AUmiIh)  consume  great  «]tianlili«>H  of  the 
liulliH.  During  the  montliH  of  SeptcmlHtr  and  AuguHt  the  women  accompany  tlio  men  who  go  out 
hunting  the  gecNc,  which  arc  making  their  autumnal  migration.  The  wonien  dig  the  rootN  of  this 
lily  and  Htore  tlieni  in  huge  grasH  uackH  for  winter's  uho.  The  liulhs  are  dug  up  with  a  copper  or 
iron  rod,  the  dirt  Nhakcn  off  and  expoHod  to  the  air  to  dry  the  remaining  dirt,  which  i»  then  re- 
moved as  much  aH  poH8il)l(^  The  bulbs  are  boiled  with  meat  or  simply  in  water ;  either  way  reduces 
them  to  a  pasty  consiHtency,  having  about  as  nuuih  taste  as  so  much  boiled  starch.  When  eaten 
raw  the  bnlblets  have  a  bitter  taste  (the  bitterness  lies  only  in  the  thin  skin  which  surrounds 
them),  and  is  at  tlrst  diilicult  to  acrpiire  a  taste  for.  Those  plants  which  grow  in  rich,  loose  soil 
form  a  bulb  which  is  often  12  inches  in  diameter  ami  an  inch  in  thickness.  This  proves  that  by 
cultivation  these  bulbs  could  be  produced  of  such  si/.o  that  they  might  bo  used  as  a  substitute 
for  the  watery  potatoes  which  am  grown  on  some  of  the  islands.  The  RussiansiM'aking  jteople 
call  this  plant  m  >a  nd,  meaning  lily.    T.) 

Allium  schwnopranum,  L.,  I'ort  Clarence,  Norton  and  Kotzebue  Sounds,  and  rapids  of  Yukon 
River.  (A  species  of  garlic  occurs  plentifully  at  Attn  on  the  south  side  of  the  island.  The  natives 
dig  it  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  and  use  the  bulbs  for  seasoning  geese  ami  other  water- fowl.  It 
is  very  strong,  and  when  once  eaten  of  is  never  forgotten.  It  does  not,  to  my  knowledge,  occur  on 
the  eastern  islands  of  the  Aleutian  chain.     T.) 

ZygtidenuM  j/laucus,  NliTT.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Port  Clarence,  Arctic  coast,  Fort  Yukon. 

Veratrnm  eschnchoUzii,  Ckay.    Sitka. 

Tojitldia  coccinca,  liicilwWH,,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Chamisso  Island,  Cape  Lisburne. 

T.  (ilutinosti,  I'liBSH.    Sitka. 

T.  horcalis,  L.,  abundant  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands,  growing  along  the  little  streams 
which  issue  sluggishly  from  the  ground.     (T.) 

JUNCACE^.  « 

Luzuln  pilosa,  WiLLD.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

(L.  comosa  var.  congcstd.    Common  throughout  the  western  Aleutian  Islands.    T.) 

L.  mmdicea,  1)  C.     Sitka,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

{L.  iipadicca,D  C.,v&r.  iHxrviJto)<i,MK\En.  Common  throughout  the  western  islands  of  the 
Aleutian  Chain.    T.) 

L.  arouata,  Waiil.,  Kotzebue  Hound,  Saint  Lawrence,  Unalashka. 

L.  campestriii,  D  C.,  I'lialashka,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

L.  spicata,  1)  C,  Saint  Lawrence,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

Juncm  bnUicus,  Dethaud.    Cape  Espenberg,  Norton  Souml,  Unalashka, 

J.  arctivuH,  Willd.,  Sitka. 

J.  cimfolim,  WiOKSTUiiM.     Unalashka. 

(J,  xiphioides  var.  triandrm,  Rng.,  Common  at  Atkha  ami  Attn.    T.) 

J.J'almtun,  E.  Mkykr.     Unalashka,  Sitka. 

J.  custanem,  Smith.  Sitka,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound.  (Common  throughout  the  Aleutian 
Islands.    T.) 

J.  higliimis,  L.,  Kotzebue  Soninl. 

J.  drummondi,  LEUjiu.,  Unalashka  (to  Attn.    T.) 

J .  paradoxuK,  Meyeb.  is  given  by  Ledebour  as  a  doubtful  native  of  Sitka. 

CYPBRACEiB. 

Sitirpus  cwspHosm,  L.,  Unalashka,  Sitka. 
S.  itylvaticUH,  L.,  Sitka. 
Eriophorum  vaginatum,  L.,  Sitka. 

E.  svhcuchzeri,  IIoppe.    Kotzebue  Sound  and  Sitka,  fide  Mertens. 

E.  ehamMsonk,  C.  A.  Mey^eb.  Sitka,  Unalashka.  (Abundant  on  the  boggy  places  throughout 
the  Aleutian  Islands.    T.) 


CONTItimiTIONH  TO  Tlll'3  NATUUAI,  HISTORY  OK  ALASKA. 


7i) 


H.  riilHtriT,  (^iiAM.,  Siiiiit  Idiwrti'iiu". 

Hhti/oliiiin,  \j.,  IncliidiiiK  UpolnHltuhjum  luid  K.  univih',  Hitku,  Norton  Soniid  to  Point  Mur- 
row  iuhI  llio  Aictii-  ooawt.  "Tli»«  HJlky  Imir  of  tln«  roUnu  jjriiMHfn  in  nrn'd  li.v  I  lie  Km|iiiiniiux  iim  n 
Hulmtilnto  for  tintlor,"  SiMMniinn.    (Not.  nnooniinon  on  tin-  Alonliiin  iMltmUH.    T.) 

(W.  mpiliitum,  Host.,  Uiillior  coi on  iit  Saint  Micinu'l'M.    T.) 

]ih)/nclioMi>i>ra  nihil,  Vaiii,.,  Silliii. 

Klynii  spiintii,  Sciirad.,  A  nit  in  coast. 

Vitrcv  Umrarpii,  ('.  A.  Mkykii.     Sitka,  UinilaNlikA. 

C.  miiropoila,  0.  A.  Mkvkii.     IJrnilasiika. 

V.  liriiniitii,  0.  A.  Mkyiok.     Sitka,  llnalaslika. 

(K  nifirifinm,  i).  A.  Mkykii.     Sitka,  Unalaslika. 

V. paidijloni,  I;1(1I!'J'k.,  Sitka, 

V.  donijiita,  L.,  Sitka. 

C.  U-porinii,  L.,  IfnaliiHlika. 

V.  Iiiijoiniiii,  Waiii,.,  Kotztjliih!  Soninl. 

0.  norvcijkn,  Wim.d.,  Sitka,  K(>t/,t»i»nu  Sonml. 

C.  rinifsri'iiH,  L.,  Sitka. 

v.  Hli'lliiliitii,  (iooi).,  Sitka,  IJinilaHlika. 

C.  rcmola,  L.,  Sitka. 

C.  Inulioiiinii,  Waiii,.,  Sitka,  (Saint  Minliatil'-s.  T.) 

C.  mcrtviiKii,  I'llKsccviT.     Unalaslika,  Sitka. 

V.  ntriitii,  \j.,  Kotzebno  Soniid. 

C.  ymt'lini,  Hook.,  Sitka,  Unahuslika,  Ivot/.obiio  Suuiiil. 

U.  liviila,  Waiil.,  Sitka. 

C,  ciipiUinis,  ]j.,  Unala.slika. 

V.  rari/hra,  S:mitu.     Uiiala.slika,  SrliisdunarctV  Hay. 

G.  rotvndata,  Wahl,,  Kotzebue  Soiuul. 

C.  macriwhwta,  0.  A.  IMkykr.     Unalaslika,  Sitka. 

C.  militnoviirpa,  CiiAM.,  Saint  fjawivnco. 

C.  stylosa,  C.  A.  Meyeb.    Sitka,  Unalaslika. 

0,  limosa,  Tj.,  Sitka. 

0,  saxatilis,  Waiii,.,  Kotzebue  and  Norton  Sonnds. 

C.  va'spitimi,  L.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

G.  Htricta,  Good.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

G.  aquatiliH,  Waiil.,  Uualasbka,  Kotzebue  Souinl. 

G,  oryptocarpn,  C  A.  Meyeb.    Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound.     (All  tlie  Aleutian  Islands.    T.) 

G,  acuta,  L.,  Sitka. 

G.  iienicaria,  L.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

G./uUginom,  Steunh.,  Kotzebue  and  Norton  Sounds,  hi  a  loot  note  Dr.  Kothrock  stateH 
that  he  had  not  access  to  IJoott's  {jreat  work  on  ('arox,  and  lias  followed  Ledebour  as  the  latest 
available  authority.     Most  likely  some  inoditic  ations  of  this  list  will  yet  bo  needed. 


J 


ORAMINE^a]. 

Hordeum  prateme,  L.,  Sitka,  Uiialasaka. 

Il.jnhatiim,  L.,  Fort  Yukon,  Saint  Michael's. 

Elymwi  sibiricus,  L.,  Sitka. 

E,  arenariun,  L.,  Norton  Sound  to  Point  Barrow. 

E.  mollis,  Tbin.,  Sitka,  Norton  and  Kotzebue  Sounds.  (Abundant  tlirouj;Iiout  the  Aleutian 
Islands.  CJrows  to  a  height  of  the  feet  in  favorable  situations.  The  grains  have  a  tendency  to 
produce  ergot.  It  is  rare  to  tind  a  head  without  one  or  more  diseased  grains  of  often  an  inch  in 
length.    T.) 

Triticum  repens,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

Festuca  onina,  L.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 


^ 


80 


CONTKIBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATUUAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


i 

'I 

'I 

M 


-'<'.  rulm  ,  h.,  Sitka,  Kotzcbue  Souml.     United  by  M'jsars.  Ilookor  iiiid  (-ray  witli  F,  of'ma, 

F,  sv^iilata,  IJoNO.,  Sitka. 

Bromux  eiiuitiin,  L.,  Kotzobiio  Soiiiul. 
li.  luhulKtus,  Lkdeh.,  Uiialasl'ka. 

B.  (ilcutvnsis,  Trin.,  Unatasli'vi. 
I>.  nit-'heniiiK,  Hong.,  Sitkii. 

I'oa  nfcHuntha,  Ti'.in.,  IJiialiislika,  Sitkji,  and  In  AiiuMiiM  Arclica  and  I'rcMim  Hciijawin, 
Ledel.)iir  Flora  Kossi'SiV,  vol,  )■•,  p.  M'l.  {In  a  fool-noto  Dr.  Kotlnock  ailds  that  on  tln>  authority 
of  I'rof.  S.  F.  JJaiv.i  the  fietirn  Sonjaw-n  is  c"  the  Asiatic  sick',  and  lies  in  latitude  01°  ^5'  north 
and  t  iifj^itudo  172"  'Mi'  west,  between  'vayne  Island  and  the  Asiatic  shore.) 

P.flaricaiis,  Ledkii.,  riialaslika. 

I\  arvtica,  It.  Hr.,  Kotzebne  Sound,  Unalashka,  Sitka. 

i'.  reK/,virt,  All.,  Unalashka,  Ciii)e  Lisburue,  Ko'.zebiu'  Sound.  Dr.  1  loth  rock  aerc  includes 
1'.  abbreriata,  Wu. 

r.  rotund)!.  TitiN.,  Uimlaslik:i. 

P.  lu'iitorallti,  Ij.,  Kot/ebui'  biuuid. 

r.  niniiia,  L.,  Sitka. 

/*.  pratnixit.,  L.,  I<<!t:'.!'bue  Souiid,  i'ualiisl'.Ua. 

Colimihiiii ^iilrum.  l.:;i)Ei!..  K'il/el»ue  Sound. 

Duixnitid  psilot.iilha,  lii'l'R.,  Kot/ebue  Sound. 

Catnbroxu  (Uiuaiica,  P-eai!V.,  .Siika,  t'cle  Le<le  jour. 

C.  ahjiila,  1''ries.     Kotzebue  Sound. 
Atropis  maritinw,  Ledeh.,  Sitlca. 

.1.  angujitata,  Leder.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

(riyceria  aquaiicn,  S.Mll'll.     Sitka. 

0.  gUmitr'o.  TjEdeu.,  St.  Lawrence,  Sitka,  Aliaska,  Kot/.ebue  Souu(  . 

7.  n»(jiti'(,.:,i,  x'kesl.,  Atkha  IsUmkI. 

(i.  sfenantha  var.  rh-lpvra.    Atkha  Lsland. 

Jlieroclilon  hDrcalis,  U.  and  Sciiplt.,  L^nalashkn,  Ivot^iebuo  Suund. 

II.  alpiitii,  K.  and  Sciiult.,  Uualashka,  Ivotzebtie  Sound,  Arctic  Sound. 

Tiisctum  subspicatitm,  TiiiN.,  Unalashka,  Kotiobue  Sound,  Point  Parrov  to  Mackenzie  Kiver. 

T.  sesquiflotum,  Trin.,  Unalashka. 

T.  ceruuhir  Trin.,  ^icka. 

Aim  rwK'       ..,  Tbin.,  Unalashka  and  mainland. 

.4..  cwspifosa,  T:ilN..  va:.  bottnica.  Sitka.  (Dr.  lto;,hrock  adds  that,  in  lookin.i;  over  the  specl 
mam  oi  ji.  cwnpitoaa  in  Herb. '.>ray,  ho  Ihiisone  fioin  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and  another  from 
Fort  Vancouver,  both  of  which  appear  identical  with  our  forms  from  Sitka.  They  havinji  been 
authentiodly  named  b"  Colonel  Munro  as  Aim  civspitosa  var.  bottnica,  he  has  labeled  the  Sitkan 
specimens  in  accordance  with  hi',  deterniiinilion.  Trinius,  in  Iconcs  (rrauituuni,  in  the  text  front- 
ing his  A.Jie.iHoui.vAv.  .'.'()^;.•>m, speaks  of  an  Aira  very  similar  to  A.  bottnica  beiiifj  found  at  Sitka 
by  Mertei''.  Bongard  is  silent  en  the  siiltjeet  i!i  "  N'egetatiou  of  Sitka,''  though  he  finds  in  Herb., 
Gray,  a  specimen  similai  to  the  Sitkan  op:s  marked  (but  frou)  Unalashka)  as  A.  cdxpUosa,  var. 
longifina.  Tri'iius  1.  e,  Vol.  Ilf,  writes  of  the  same  plant  from  Silku,  "Cieteium  liac  varietate 
transitus  (juidain  sistitur  ab  ^4.  cn'spiPim  ad  tiexuosam  ";  which  statenii-nt  seems  probable  enough.) 

A.  arcti'^a,  Trin.,  Kotzebno  Sound,  Unala.shka,  Sitka,  and  interior  of  the  (uuintry. 

A,  atropuspurca,  SCHEELK.     Sitka,  Unalashkii,and  from  Point  Barrow  to  Mackenzie  River. 

CaUimagrostis  aleutica,  Trin.,  Unalashkii,  Sitka. 

C,  purpurascuH,  R.  Br.,  Fort  Yukon.  Torrey  and  Gray  regard  this  as  a  form  of  C.  Kylvatica 
I).  C. 

C.  strigom,  Wahl.,  Sitka.     Munro  unites  this  with  C.  alcutiva,  Bono, 

(\  neglrrfa,  (Jaertner.     Kotzebno  Sound. 

G.  lapponira,  TiiiN.,  Unalashka. 

C  canadensin,  Beaiv.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 
C,  langsdoi^^i,  Tbin.,  Kotzebue  i^ound. 


:/, ,.  f? 


mtuammumfmmi^ 


■"l 


CONTltlBUTIONS  TO  TUE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


81 


Arctagroxfis  latifolm,  Ledkh.,  Kotzebue  Sound  aiul  Arctic  cosist. 
Cinna  lutifolia,  Ledkk.,  Sitka. 
AijrostiH  lequivalvis,  Trin.,  Sitlcu,  Uiiiiliushka. 
A.  erurata,  Trin.,  Uiiiibishka,  Sitka,  Kailiak. 
A.  ijcminatit,  Thin.,  Uiialashka. 
.'I.  hu'ifhrn,  K.  Bii.,  Unalasliki",. 

I'lilnim  pmtemc,  L.,  Alaska,  where  it  tl;riv',\;  well  accordiiijj;  to  Kello^f;';  but  in  what  pari  of 
Alaska  '? 

J'-alpinuiii,  L.,  Sitk.i,  Lliialashka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Saint  liavvrence  (Aretii!  coast  '.). 
Atopiriirun  alpiniis,  Sm.,  Saint  Lawrenc(>,  Kotzebue  Sound  (and  Arctic  coast  f ). 

EQUISBTACEiE, 

I-JiluiM'tnm  (trrcnsc,  L.,  Sitka,  Unalashka. 
E.  sylrtiticum,  L.,  Kotzebiic  Sound. 

LYCOPODIACE.a3. 

Li/coixxltiim  scliino,  L.,  Sitka,  Uiijilashka,  Ivotzebue  Sound.  (Throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
^rows  in  stout  dumps.     T.) 

//.  iiiniotinum,  L.,  :5itka,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Norton  Sound. 

/,.  sitchcnse,  Ki'imikcut.     Sitka. 

L.  complanatum.  Sitka, yiV/c  Led(d)our,  Flora  Ilossica.  (Abundant  at  I'nalashka,  and  coniinon 
on  the  western  isnmds  of  the  Aleutian  t)hain.  (irow.s  amongst  the  scanty  grasse.s  on  the  dryer  hill- 
tops,   T.) 

L.  (ilpinuin,  L.,  Unalashka.     Found  in  abundance  throughout  the  treeloas  districts  of  Alaska. 

/;.  (Icndroidcnm,  Mioiix.,  Sitka;  Jiilc  Ledebour,  Flora  Ilossica. 

/>.  clnrntum,  L.  Sitka,  Unalashka.  ((Joinmon  at  Saint  Micihael's  ami  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
growing  at  times  twenty  feet  long.    T.) 

HeUminella  spiiwsa,  Beauv.,  Unalashka. 

VILICES. 

Opiiioglossum  vidgattim,  L.,  (obtained  only  at  Unalashka,  where  it  grows  in  great  abuiid  iiu;e 
among  the  rankest  pat ciies  of  other  ferns  and  weeds.  The  leaf  is  bright  sap  green  during  life, 
and  turns  golden  yellow  as  it  withers.  This  species  was  carefidly  sought  for  among  the  other 
islands,  but  not  discovered.     T.) 

lioiyiU'hinm  liinarid,  Jj.,  Unalashka.  (Abundant  at  Unalashka  and  Attn.  Not  observed  i-lse. 
where,  though  carefully  searched  for.  This  fern  grows  on  the  edges  if  the  rocks  which  have  been 
covered  with  a  light  or  thin  deposit  of  soil.  The  inuid)er  of  plants  found  at  any  given  locality, 
though  of  very  rrstrieted  ari'a,  may  be  as  great  as  tifty,and  varying  from  1  to  t!  inches  in  height. 
At  Attn  they  were  found  on  the  gravelly  level  at  the  head  of  Chiehagol'  Harbor,  among  tin'  scanty 
grasses  I ust  a  few  lods  west  of  where  are  the  renndns  of  the  former  ho  ises  of  the  nati\es  who  W(^re 
taken  to  the  Commander  Islainls.  At  Sarana  liay,  on  the  northeast  side  of  Attn,  this  tern  grows 
in  great  iirofusion  and  attains  a  height  of  !)  ii:  •  -es  in  the  rich,  warm,  sandy  soil  wliicli  i  ■  at  the 
head  of  that  bay,  among  the  rank  grasses  of  thu*^  place,  iwiw  the  jiresent  liousi!s  wliicii  constitute 
the  summer  village  of  the  At  tu  people.    T.) 

(/>'.  horcnlc,  !Mii,i)i:.  This  si)e('ies  was  not  observed  elsewhere  than  0:1  the  sides  of  the  paths 
beyond  the  graveyard  at  lliuliuk  village,  Unalashka.  It  luiver  grows  in  jiatidies.  Rarely  more 
than  one  stalk  will  bo  found  at  a  time  or  separateil  by  at  least  a  few  in<du's  from  another,  and  not 
more  tha.i  half  a  dozen  will  be  found  near  the  lirst.  \t  attains  a  variable  size  of  half  an  inch  to 
•I  inches  in  heigiit,  dependnig  altogether  on  the,  soil,  for  in  tlu)se  places  where  the  lianks,  or  sides 
of  the  cow-paths  have  parted,  and  fresh  soil  has  been  exposed  several  years  before  will  be  found 
the  larger  jjlants  of  this  species.     T.) 

(/{.  luHfi'iihttum,  Ai'osr.,  Common  at  Unalashka,  growing  isolated  among  tli<'  scanty  grasses 
and  mosses  of  the  low  hill  tops  and  along  the  broken  edges  of  the  paths  leading  beyond  the  lake 
southeast  of  lliuliidi  village.    T.) 
S.  Jlis.  loo 11 


82 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


(B.  rtitaceum,  VVii.Li).,  (B.  matricarifolium,  A.  Ekovvn.     Uiialaslika.    T.) 

[B.  teniatum,  SoHWABTZ.  Oomnioii  at  lliialashka,  growing  on  the  lower  level  grouiKls  and  at 
tli(?  hase.s  of  ^jradiially  .sl<)])iiig  hills.  This  species  remains  green  throiighont  the  winter,  the  last 
frond  alone  remaining  so,  and  toward  spring  turns  a  dull  bronzy  color,  which  disappears  with  the 
enlivenment  of  spring.    This  species  was  uot  observed  to  the  westward.    T.) 

(B.  virginicum,  Schwartz.  Very  rsvre  at  Unalashka;  not  observed  on  any  of  the  other  Aleu- 
tian Islands.    T.) 

Ciistopteris  fragUh,  Beknu.,  Unalashka,  Kotzebue  Sound.  (I  f<iund  this  speciies  to  be  rare  at 
St.  Michael's,  of  scanty  growth  in  small  clusters.  At  Unalashka  it  occurs  in  the  small  eaves  along 
the  beach.  At  Svenoi  or  Hog  Islaiul,  in  Captain's  Harbor,  it  is  very  identiful.  In  a  cave  at  the 
Lead  of  Goltseb  Harbor,  on  the  northern  side  of  Attn  Island,  it  is  very  abundant,  growing  in  large 
patches  and  of  luxuriant  growth.  It  does  uot  occur  on  tlie  intermediate  islands  that  I  am  aware 
of.    T.) 

{AHpidUnn  oreopteris,^\\Mi'V7..  Common  at  Unalashka  and  Attn.  Not  f(Hind  on  the  inter- 
mediate islands.     Not  ])reviously  described  from  North  America.     T.) 

[A.  spimdosum  var.  dllutatum,  HooKEB.     Obtaiued  at  Unalashka,  Afognak.  and  Attn.     Quite 

common  at  the  latter  place;  grows  in  tufts  of  a  half  dozen  fronds  Ir a  single  root.     The  plant 

has  a  yellowish-green  color  in  life,  and  is  conspicuous  among  other  plants  at  the  bases  of  bluffs 
and  the  sloi)ing  sides  of  the  wide  ravines.    T.) 

^1.  lonchith,  SWARTZ,  Umilashka,  Chaniisso,  and  Eschscholtz.  (A  single  tuft,  of  half  ii  dozen 
fronds,  was  brought  to  me  by  a  native  at  Saint  Michael's.  It  is  (jnite  rare  theie.  At  Uindashka 
it  is  extremely  abundant,  growing  on  the  ledges  of  cliff's  and  hlnlls  which  form  the  steej)  sides  of 
the  deei)or  ravines.  This  species  was  never  nuit  with  far  from  the  seashore,  ami  was  not  observed 
on  the  islands  to  the  westward.    T.) 

A.  fraiiriins,  Swartz.     Sitka,  Unalashka. 

^l.  (tculeatum,  Swartz.  Sitka.  (Prof.  i).  C.  Eaton  says  this  species  has  been  found  but  once 
at  that  locality.    T.) 

BIcchnum  .spicant,  RoTH.,  (Lomaria  Hpicant,  Desv.),  Sitka. 

Pterin  aquUina,  L.,  Sitka. 

P.  argentea,  S.  G.  Ghelin.    America-Rossica,  Steller  ex  Pallas.     (.\u  evident  error.     T.) 

AUosorm  sUchcmis,  Ruprecht.  (  —  Uryptogmmmc  a<rosiichoi(les,]i.V>ROVfN).  Sitka.  (.Mihi 
ignota,  Ledebour.) 

A.  finrolatUK,  Rupreoht.  Unalashka,  Kadiak.  (This  species  is  the  same  as  (Jryptogrnmme 
acrostkhoidcs  R.  Brown.    T  ) 

{Plwgnptcrix  poUipodloidfs,  FEE.     Common  at  Unalashka,  Afognak,  ami  Attn.      T.) 

{P.  (h-yopterin.  Vkk.     Abundant  at  Unalashka,  Afognak,  and  Attn.     T.) 

Polypodium  rulgari;,  L.,  (Abundant  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands;  grows  anunigst  tiie  tall 
grasses  to  a  height  of  a  foot,  while  on  the  rock  ledges  it  attains  a  height  of  only  an  inch.     T.) 

Admntum  pedatum,  L.,  (Common  at  Unalashka  and  Attn.  Grows  on  tlii^  ledges  of  io(rks  which 
are  covered  with  turf.     It  was  not  observed  on  the  iiiternu'diate  islands.     T.) 

AnpU'nium  fclijc-fwinina,  Bkrnu.,  Unalashka,  Sitka.  Kadiak.  (Not  eoianion  in  the  spruce 
woods  of  Afognak  Island.     T.) 

ANOPHYTE,S. 


■4. 


SiEl 


[Uctoriiiiiii^d  iiiid  coiiiinluil  l)y  Tliouias  1'.  .J;iiiics.] 

MUSCI. 

Sphagnum  cymhi/oliion,  EiiRil.,  Sitka. 

(S'.  tereti,  VVaui,.,  Nulato. 

iS".  cunpiddtum,  var.  recurvnm.  Beauv.,  Sitka. 

S.  aciitifolinm,  Ekrii.,  Sitka  aiul  Alaska. 

S.  timbriutum,  Wilson.  Kotzebue  Sound, 

S.Jhnbriatiini,  var.  ramis  uenso  <'-ompaetis,  foliis  brevioribns  snlicUi])tii'is:   Norton  Sound. 

Wcixia  Hemilnla,  Funic,  Nulato. 


smiiMmtsmmmBaskiiuiHmmmMkaMimsmauiimtm^ 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  Til H  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 

Divranum  cri.spiim,  IIkdw.,  Kotzobiie  Soiihd. 

D.  iMli/carpiiw,  Eiiiui.,  Aliiska. 

D.  hctfiromailnm,  ITkdw.,  Aliiskii. 

D.  cniujenfum,  Bimd.,  Sitl;a. 

i>.  scoii'trium,  IIkdw.,  Ivotzebiie  Sound  iiiul  Ala.skii. 

/>.  eloHjjatum,  Schwakg.,  Kotzobue  Soiiiid. 

I>,  Ihilustrc,  Bum.,  var.  thliis  pliiiiis  ncc  iiiKliiliiti.s.,  Sitkii,  Niihilo. 

/>.  majits,  Smith.,  Sitka. 

JK  svhra<1ci-i,  Schwako.,  Kotzcbnc  Soiiinl. 

liarhulii  miillcri.  Bit.  and  Son.,  Alaska. 

Ccrdtodon  pnrpiircn.s,  Bkid.,  Kotzi'l)iu!  Sound,  Sitka,  Nnlato. 

Dintkhium  cnpUhtcciiDt,  Br.  and  Sen.,  Kotzebuo  Sound,  Nnlato. 

Tetropliis  pelhiiiil((,  IIkdw.,  Sitlui. 

Ulotd  hiD-cIaiji,  Jii'j'i'KN.,  Sitka. 

h'ncoinitrinm  acicuhirc,  BiiiD.,  Sitka. 

ii*.  fdwiruhirc,  Brid.,  Alaska. 

A'.  cancHcens,  var.  ericoidcH,  Bbid.,  Sitka. 

R..  hntiifihinsum,  Br.  and  Son.,  Ivotziibuo  Sound. 

Tai/loriu  scrratit,  Br.  and  Son.,  Sitka. 

Tetraplodon  mniDklen,  IIkdw.,  Kotzobue  Sound,  Sitka. 

Sphichnum  spjKrririim,  Hkdw.,  Norton  Sound. 

nV.  i-finculosum,  LrNN.,  Sitka. 

T.  urceoial;;.".  Br.  and  .son..  Kotzcbno  Soninl. 

Eucalyptni  rhdhdocnrpa,  Soiiwakg.,  Nulato. 

Funaria  hyfiromctrira,  IIkdw.,  Iktifi'alik. 

Barfrmiiid  vieiizicnii,  IldOK.,  Western  llu.ssian  America. 

Com*>fomnmborc((l(',  SWARTZ.,  Kotzcbue  Souiul. 

Bryum  i»dymorphum,  Bb.  and  Son.,  Sitka. 

B.  rtuUins,  SrnRF:Ti.,  Kotzi^bue  Sound,  Sitka,  Iktigalik. 

B.  criidum,  SonRKi!.,  lkti;;alik. 

B.  puriforme,  Hrdw.,  Iktigalik. 

B.  lacustrc,  Brid.,  Kotzebuo  Sound. 

B.  invUiiatum,  Br.  and  Son,,  Kotzebuo  Sound. 

B.  capiUnre,  Hedw.,  Sitka. 

B.  (xrfienfcum,  Linn.,  Iktigalik. 

Milium punctdium,  IIkdw.,  Sitka. 

M.  rosfrotxm,  ScnwAicci..  Kotzebue  Sound. 

M,  affinc,  var.  zchttum,  Br.  and  Sc .: ,  Sitka. 

M.  menziesii,  Hook.,  Sitka. 

Aulacnvinion  iinujUhnn.  SoiiwaK't  ,  !-'.otzebne  Souml. 

A. pahintn',  Soiiwakg.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Sitka,  Nulato. 

Pogonafum  cKpillnre,  Mioiix.  and  Bbid.,  Kotzebue  Sound,. Sitka,  Ala.ska. 

7*.  ntpinum,  LiNN.,  var.  foliis  eaiisulis  longioribus.     Kotzebue,  Sound  and  Sitka. 

y.  alpininn,  vnv./inrdlKiti,  Brid.,    Scliisniareft'  Bay. 

P.  alpinum,  var.  cdnipaniilatuin,  Bbid.,  Uiuda.slika. 

P.  atrorhcns,  Mit'J'kn.,  Sitka. 

/'.  con''irtiim,  Mknz.,  Nortliwest  coast  of  Ru.s.sian  Amcriiia. 

/'  ilintdtiim,  Mknz.,  Northwest  (M)ast  of  Uussian  America. 

PoUiirirhum  (trncUc.  Mknz.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

P.formoaum,  IIkdw.,  Alaska. 

P.  cdrifnllam,  WiLsoN  in  Bot.  Hvjrald  (Seennmn).,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

P.  pili/enim,  SoiiUKii.,  A'  iska. 

P.  jnniprniinm,  Wili.d.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Nnlato. 

P.  inniperinum,  var.  sfi-ictum,  Br.  and  Sou.,  Kotzebue  Sound  and  Sitka. 


83 


84 


CONTRIBUTIONB  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


m 


»i#'; 


P.jiniipirinnm,  var.  Ibliis  (listeiitibiis,  iinyihstioriljUH  piitiilis.    Kotzohuc  Sound,  Sitkii,  Nithito. 
/'.  Hexanf/ulafc,  Hoi'i'.,  BaiTon  spociiiKsiis  frdiii  Herald  Island. 
P.  commune,  Linn.,  Sitka. 
Aiititrivhia  curtipctidula,  IJuiu.,  Sitka. 
A.  valifornica,  Lk.syx.,  Alaska. 
N'cvJccra  douf/lniisii,  Hook.,  Steekine,  Alaska. 
N.  mcnzienii,  Hook.,  Alaska. 
Akia  callj'ornica,  Lesyx.,  Alaska. 
Jlyfiuuni  triquetrum,  LiNN.,Nuhit<)  and  Alaska. 
If.  loreum,  LiNN.,  Sitka  and  Alaska. 
II.  squarroHum,  LiNN.,  Sitka. 
11.  crisitifolium,  HooK.,  N.  W.  Rutisian  America. 
//.  lu.ri/oliiim,  Hook.,  N.  \V.  Jiussian  America. 
//.  sjiUnulins,  Hkdw.,  Niilato  and  Alaska. 
//.  strigoHum,  ilovim.,  Nnlato. 
II.  undnlaPuvi,  Linn.,  Sitka. 
fL  iulescem,  IIitds.,  Kotzebui;  Sound  and  Alaska. 

//.  myoKuroidcs,  var.  xtobmiferum,  Hook.,  >f.  W.  Russian  America,  Sitka,  and  Alaska. 
H.  ruthcnivum,  Wkinm.,  Sitka. 
H.  sdhrnhnri,  Willd.,  Sitka. 
//.  .•itokcuii,  TUENKR  (not  L.  M.).     Alaska. 
//.  itnciniiltim,  Hkdw.,  Kotzehue  Sound. 

//.  unchiatWH,  var.  majns,  Wilson,  twicer  as  !ar},'e  as  the  ordinai'.y  lorrn.     Kotzehue  Sound, 
Alaska. 

IT.  rcwdvenH,  Swaktz,  Kotzebuc  Sound. 

n.  circiiKile,  llooK.,  Kotzebue  Sound,  Nulatc,  and  Alaska. 

//.  ruf/osum,  Hedw.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

//.  (7?we/>r(W),ScnWyEG.,var.(^aulisdi\  isionibussubdendroediis  riiliissui»intcgerriniis.     Alaska. 

IF.  rii'ularc,  1>r.  and  Son.,  var.  ibliis  minus  aeulis.    Kotzebue  Sound. 

H.  salehrosumf  Hoffm:.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

n,  nitcns,  ScnilEU.,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

11.  denticulahim,  Linn.,  Sitka. 

ff.  serpens,  Linn.,  Alaska. 

HBPATIC.S3 

Mdirhoniia  polymorjiha.  Linn.,  Alaska. 
Fct/atdia  coiiicii,('oiiT)X.,  Sitka  and  Iktigalik. 
Fimbraria  tenella,  Nees  ?    Alaska. 
■Juniiermannia  alhiciins,  LiNN.,  Alaska. 
./.  tiichophylld,  Linn.,  Alaska. 
Scapnnia  numeroHa,  Nees.    Alaska. 

LICHENEB. 


[List  CDiiiiiili'il  liy  II.  M;iiin   ] 

Spwhivphoron  fragile,  Peu.S., 

S.  coralloidcs,  Pebs., 

liwomi/rcs  icmadophilns,  Nyj...  liiulora  icmadophi/lla,  anet. 

Cladmiia  gmcilis,  Hofkm.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

('.  pyaddata,  AcH,,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

C.  deformin,  lI()Fi'':<r.,  Kotzebiu'  Sound. 

C.  uncialiit,  lloFFM.,  Sitka,  Kotzebue  Sound. 

C.  rangiferina,  Hoffm.,  All  Russian  Ameri(!a. 

C.  sylvatica,  AOH.,  All  Rnssian  Amc  rica. 

I'ilo^horon  rohustum,  Nyl,.,  Islands  of  Bering's  tf  raits. 


0ONTRII5UTIONS  TO  TriE  NATURAL  niSTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


85 


P.  am-ulare,  TuOK.,  (Sect,  of  iUereocauhn.)    Russian  A  n.orica. 
Stcreocmilon  poMchale,  Lawu.,  I^otzc^hiic  Sound. 

......rt,rrs:;.'  ""'"■"■  '""^"""''  *•"" "■"  "»■"'«-  Ai.»ou„„r  ,„,it  „,„„„.  „„.». 

ThamnoUa  vcrmirulare.    Common 

..»,i!r::;;;r's::^:r:  ""''•"■" « ■" «» «-" '"« ^.™ .  ^"«.  v,..-.  -. 

vl.  dirm-gens,  Nyl.,  Various  Io(;a.liti<'s. 

Cclrarin  is-landica,  Aon.,  Common. 

rUttysma  micullntnm,  Uoium.,  Common. 

P.  septnntrionair,  Nyl.,  Kotzel)ue  Sonml. 

P.  tjlaiinum,  Nvr,.,  Kotzcbiio  Sound. 

Nephroma  nrrtimm,  I^'imks.     Kotzebim  Sound. 

Peltigern  venom,,  Hoffm.,  Kot/.obuo  Sound. 

P.  mwinrt,,  IIoPKiVT,    Kotzebuc  Sonne!. 

P.  polydadyla,  IIOFFM.,  Kotzobuc,  Sound,  Si(kii,  Ac. 

P.  aiJ^/ma,  HoPFM.,  Kotzobuc  Sound,  Sit.lia,  &<;'. 

mictapulmomcca,  Acit.,  Kotzobuc  Sound,  Sitka,\^t(^ 

&  scf>r/«c»«/a^«,  Acii.,  Kotzcliuo  Sound. 

Pimmlia  perforata,  Acii.,  Kotzobuc  Soniid. 

P.pcrlata,  Aon.,  Kofzobirc  Hound. 

P.  mxatilifi,  Aoir.,  lvotzcl)nc  Sound. 

/'.  rliacca,  Acir.,  ICot;?obuc  Sound. 

Phynria  parieflna,  I).  N.,  K'otzcliuc  Sonml. 

y\  sfelUms,  Ji'riks. 

P.  o/wwm,  Friks.     Kotzebuc  Sound. 

Lreannrapalksrcns,  y.iv.  upmlcmk,  I-'uiks.     |<„(z„bu(^  S(.und 

//.  t<irtar!ca,viii:/r!f/ida,  Aon.,  Kotzebuc  Sound.  '     , 

PIneodium  elc</aiis,  FiUF.fi, 

Proroma  hypnorum,  I)  C, 


Dothidea  hetulina,  var.  Bctulw  nance,  Fbie.s 
Erineum  roseum,  Sohultz. 


FUNOI. 

Kotzebuc  Sound. 


Fmm  vcsindosus,  L.,   Plentiful  in  Kotzebuc  SouuiL 

Alarm  esrulcnia,  Cuv.v.,  Arcitit;  coast. 

Chorda  Jllnm,  Stack"., 

Pi/ciioHiphon/aninilarevn,  (Jiir. v., 

Cha'topteri.s  pinmoaa,  Kirrz. 

Odonfhaliadenlata,  var.  anfjusta.  FIarv.,  Arctic  coast 

[OdoHlhaha  Immlwhatka.    Sanna!;li  Island.    T.) 

Rhodomela  lariv,  Aa. , 

(Hhodomclajloeccom.    Saiinakli  IslancL    T.) 

Pdesseria smnom,  A({.,  Arctic  Ocean. 

{PeleHseriajilrf/ensii.    Sannakli  Lsland.     T.) 

{Halmacemi  ramenfaceum.     Satinakli  Island. 

{Ptilota  aitplenoiden.    Sannakli  Island,    T.) 

(PUIotaplumosa  \m:  filicitia.    Sannakli  Island.) 

(Halidryu  onmiindacea.    Santr.kh  Island  ) 

P%«oj/^«.«ft,v,^/,c/,  J.  AO.     Arctic  coaJt  (single  specimen  broad-leavcd  variety 

AlntcldUa  { GymnogongruH)  pHcata,  J.  Aff.     Arctic  co'ist 

No,:oc  verrucomm^    Fresh- water  pools  at  Point  Clarence 


T.) 


]\ 


^^il.jprf'FBfmiiB^'T^^' 


PART  IV.-]^^I8HES 


GASTEROSTEIDiE. 

1.  Gasterosteus  catapiikaotes  (I'all.)  Tilesius 

»■ '"=i'«'-  T.K.,,i;':::™;;,!:,;;r;'  ::'r:i;:';;rr^^^ 

gmit  sou-otter  fewund  of  Ala.ska.  ^o.ieacd  .Jul^v  14,  18,8,  ut  &auiialdi  Island,  tlie 


2.  Gasterosteus  MrCHor 
This  species  was  taken  at  Saiiiiii! 


■     ijfTs  rui'ai'd. 

v-as  taken.     There  is  no  speeial  .^;Cbr.  I'^^'rhe^habitJ'"  """  '""""  '"'"  """"  ^•-''^'^'•-^- 
Ot  the  two  species  the  (bruier  ^yas  tho  ii.ore  abundant. 

3.  GASTERosTErs  rrxoiTurs  L.  snl.si).  MRAOirYPODA  Bean 

a  small  stream  of  water  is  spurted  out  offl    ,         v  ,  the  ventral  spines  are  j.ressed 

painful.  '  ^  "'  "'""•     ^^  "■"'""'  I'™^l«"e<l  by  the  spines  is  extremely 

The  natives  eat  these  fi.sh  eitjier  raw  or  cooked 

The  specinu-ns  obtained  by  nu.  were  collected  in  June,  187(1,  at  Saint  Michaers,  Alaska. 

PLBURONECTJDiE. 
r>.   PlEURONEOTES  STELLATIS  I'allas. 

At  Saint  Michael's  the  Flounders  are  quite  uuinerous     Th.-v  •i.)n....r  ,„.„. .  i.,.    i 
the  winter's  ice  has  l..ft  the  shdh.w..r  u-.,t,.,...      n  ,   ^"'•^•^1''"  '"  '"'"  "'•'  ^'•"'•P''^  as  soon  as 

.lay  is  the  best  time  tor  ta^''  ^    ^^ir^'^;.    ''';"'^  't"  T?""'  "'"  ''"'■'''  *"^  ^'-"  '"■  <"" 
llesh.    The  natives  pri.e  the  S^il  tf  ^L  tt^irU'l.l^;'^-  '''  '''  '''^'  "'^'^^'»  -*"'  -^^  '^'''^l  "f 

87 


88 


CONTIUBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  TllSTOliY  OP  ALASKA. 


thoiii  biuik  in  the  water  when  caught.    There  is  but  little  meat  uu  thoui,  aud  that  is  full  uf  tsliort, 
strong  lM)iie.s. 

The  Ku.s,siaii  name  of  the  FlouiHler  is  Kdmhal.  Th»»  Hmaller  ones  are  called  Kaiuhnliishhii.  Tlie 
Eskimo  name  ol"  this  .sjteeies  is  JN'«  lii'g  nid;  and  is  derived  Irom  the  word  Nd  tiil:,  sij^nify iny  boot-sole. 

G.   I'LEUUONKOTES  GLACIALIB  Pallas.     (See  Fij;.  1.) 

This  species  has  the  same  habits  as  P.  stellatus  at  Saint  Michael's.  It  is  smaller  in  size  than  P. 
HtclldtuK.     The  Uesh  is  not  so  palatable  as  that  of  the  other  sj)ecies. 

Hotli  species  are  liable  to  be  diseased  in  the  summer  montlis.  (ireat  tumors  appear  on  the, 
sides  at  the  ba.ses  of  the  tins  and  near  the  gills.  They  are  so  rei>ulsive  that  cue  can  scarcely  eat 
the  lisli  alter  seeing  them  in  this  condition. 

During  calm  weather  I  have  had  opportunity  to  observe  the  habits  of  Flounders  from  the  wharf 
at  Saint  Michael's  and  Unalashka.  The  lish  towards  evening  usually  come  near  the  slion;,  especially 
when  the  tide  is  rising.  The  lish  lie  on  the  sandy  bottom  waiting  for  food  to  come  in  reach,  or 
else  by  a  (piick  movement  of  their  lins  throw  the  sand  over  their  back  so  as  to  compltstely  hide 
tlieir  body.  After  tlie  sand  has  settled,  a  sliglit  mark  will  lead  to  the  detection  of  their  hiding 
lilace.  In  the  course  of  a  few  minutes  a  single  eye  of  the  lish  will  be  thrust  out  for  half  an  in(;h 
and  slowly  be  moved  round  and  round  in  search  of  food.  Should  a  small  lish  come  near  it  is  in- 
stantly s(!ized  l)y  the  hidden  Flounder. 

At  Saint  Alicliael's  I  was  once  on  the  wharf  where  several  natives  were  tishing.  One  of  the  natives 
was  a  wt)niau  who  had  but  a  few  days  before  come  from  Nulato  aud  had  never  seen  a  Flounder  in 
ht^'  life.  She  soon  caught  one  of  these  lish,  and  when  she  saw  that  it  was  ditlerent  from  any  other 
lish  she  had  ever  seen  her  astonishment  knew  no  bounds.  The  lish  gave  a  tlop  aud  exposed  its 
white  lower  parts.    The  wonum  gave  a  scream  and  shouted,  "  Slapjack  Iteba." 

The  word  .slapjack  is  universally  known  lor  the  pancake  or  griddle-cake,  and  rclm  is  the 
liussian  word  for  lish.    At  the  present  time  the  Flounders  are  usually  called  "  Slapjack  lleba." 

Neither  species  of  the  Flounders  attain  a  greater  size  than  fourteen  inches  in  length,  and 
ranily  weigh  over  ten  to  eighteen  ounces. 

At  Unalashka  Island  the  Flounders  attain  a  greater  size  than  observed  at  Attn  Island,  and 
sciucely  as  large  as  some  individuals  seen  at  Saint  Michael's. 

lli.  lliProoLossus  VULCtABis  Fleming. 

The  Halibut  is  not  common  at  Saint  .Michael's,  and  rarely  attains  asizeof  more  than  UO  inches 
in  length  and  a  weight  of  more  than  twelve  pounds.  It  ocours  in  Norton  Sound  near  the  shores  in 
the  months  of  .Inly,  August,  aud  September.  It  is  doubtless  migratory,  as  1  never  heard  of  it 
being  obtained  at  any  otht'r  time. 

Among  the  Aleutian  Islainls  it  is  a  constant  nssident,  and  there  allaius  an  enormous  size 
and  weight.  In  some  localities  it  has  been  caught  weighing  over  .'JOO  pounds.  The  larger 
ii\ilivuluals  are extiremely  ditlicult  to  kill,  aud  re(iuire  a  great  amount  of  "plaving"  before  being 
brought  to  the  surface  and  there  dispatched  vlth  a  club  ('•  yu>/(>/«'s/iA'(("  of  the  liussian-speaking 
Aleut). 

Tile  tish  are  often  taken  while  tishing  for  cod  and  other  li*U. 

The  usual  methot,!  pursued  by  the  Aleut  of  the  i)reseut  day  is  to  make  a  wooden  hook  that  re- 
sembles a  shoe  with  the  sole  detaehed,  excepting  at  the  heel,  from  the  upjier.  Through  the  part 
which  I  have  likened  to  the  sole  of  the  shoe  is  driven  a  strong  sjiike,  usually  three  or  four  inches 
in  length,  aud  set  at  an  angle  of  about  forty  degrees  from  the  sole,  and  directed  inward.  The 
ui>i>er  part  is  then  fastened  so  that  the  under  surface  will  be  about  an  inch  and  a  half  from  tiu',  point, 
of  tlu!  spike.  The  bait  is  securely  fastened  to  the  lower  part,  and  when  the  tish  attempts  to  swallow 
the  bait,  the  upper  li]»  is  pushed  on  the  spike  by  the  interference  of  the  upper  part  of  the  hook, 
so  that  any  atten.pt  of  the  lish  to  withdraw  front  the  hook  is  only  to  transllx  the  ull|iet',|;^U  iKore 
flrndy  on  the  si)ike. 

This  hook  is  usindly  set  in  the  early  "uorning,  and  is  watched  Irom  tlui  house,  or  shore.  An  in 
Hated  stonnvch  ol  a  seal  is  usually  attached  to  the  line,  as  a  Uoat,  and  wIumi  it  is  seen  to  nioxe,  Ihell 
it  is  kuowu  that  a  Ualibut  is  at  the  bait.    Other  tish  rarely  attempt  to  take  the  bait,  as  the  wooden 


" 


''«i: 


li- 


m 


Coutrlb.  Nnl.  Hint.  AluHkjt.     i'liviiir. 


PLATE  1. 


< 

U 

< 

O 
H 

u 

o 

Oi 
D 
U) 


Ciiiitilli.  .Nui    l||,t.  A 


luMkii.— I'ciiiior, 


PLATE  a. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0 


I.I 


iii  |28 

|50     ""^ 

^  m 
"  m 

•-         140 


M 
IM 
M 

1.8 


1.25      1.4 

1.6 

^ 6"     - 

► 

V] 


W 


e. 


W 


<?}. 


^f 


VI 


m  ,>^ 


/>^ 


/^ 


'^ 


°w 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


,\ 


w^ 


<F 


\^ 


°<9> 


\ 


•«(f^   <^ 


V 


23  WEST  MAIN  STkcET 

WIBSTEft.N.Y.  14S30 

I  716  I  873-4503 


^ 


f/j 


—srwB^vmmm 


CONTKIBUTION8  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


89 


jiarte  of  the  liook  move  round  so  tiiftt  they  are  frightened  off.    ()«!caH!oiially  a  largo  cod  niity  bo 
taken  that  way,  but  only  tlie  perHisteut  endeavors  of  the  Halibut  enable  it  to  be  t^kt-n  by  this  means. 

At  Attn  Island  the  Halibut  attains  a  great  size,  but  the  larger  ones  are  rarely  taken.  The 
Atkhan  Aleuts  secure  large  Hsh  of  this  species.  At  Atkha  two  canoes  usually  go  together  so  as 
to  assist  each  other  in  case  of  necessity.  When  a  large  Halibut  is  taken  the  man  gives  a  signal 
to  his  comrade,  and  begins  to  tire  the  tlsh  out.  The  cuiuradu  approaches  so  as  to  be  near  when 
the  fish  is  drawn  to  the  surface,  as  they  are  so  strong  that  they  have  frequently  up.s<!t  the  canoe  of 
the  Msherman,  who  is  nearly  always  drowned  if  alone. 

When  the  flsh  is  exhausted  it  is  drawn  to  the  surface  and  struck  on  the  head  with  the  elub 
used  by  all  the  Aleut  iishermen.  The  one  who  comes  as  assistant  is  the  iiersuii  who  does  the  killing, 
while  the  other  holds  the  line,  rea<ly  to  give  play  at  the  least  movement  of  the  Hsii.  After  the 
fish  has  been  killed  it  is  secureil  between  the  two  canoes  and  taken  to  land.  This  method  is 
pursued  only  for  large  fish  ;  the  suialler  ones  are  managed  by  a  single  lisherman. 

The  fish  usually  lie  in  water  of  20  to  100  fathoms.  The  larger  flsh  in  the  deeper  water. 
Their  llesh  is  excellent,  but  dry,  unless  properly  cooked.  The  best  way  is  to  roast  a  large  piece 
of  the  belly  with  a  little  water  and  scraps  of  fat  pork,  to  keep  the  fish  from  becoming  too  dry.  If 
properly  attended  to  it  makes  a  feast  fit  for  a  king.  The  natives  usually  Ivoil  tiio  tisli,  a  not  very 
choice  way  of  pn-paring  it.  Large  strips  are  cut  up  and  hung  on  poles  or  lines  to  dry.  It  becomes 
very  hard,  and  unless  it  is  not  eaten  with  sufUcient  fatty  substances  it  is  not  healthy.  Tlie  driiMl 
strips  are  usually  put  in  the  stomach  of  a  sea-lion  and  kept  for  winter  consumption. 

QADIDA. 

ITi.  RonKooADUS  SAiDA  (Lepech.)     Bean.     (See  Fig.  II.) 

Tiu^  spe(!imens  «»f  Arctic;  Cod  collected  by  me  were  obtained  in  the  latter  part  of  February,  1877, 
the  coldest  month  during  a  nearip  four  years  stay  at  Saint  Michael's. 

Some  natives  had  iimdc  holes  in  the  ice  in  the  bay,  aiul  were  tishing  through  these  hoI(>s  when 
I  visited  them  and  obtained  several  specimens.  This  species  wiis  not  ol)served  at  any  other  than 
the  winter  season.  The  natives  informed  me  that  they  only  occur  in  winter.  They  wore  obtained 
in  about  three  and  a  half  fathoms.     I  could  not  learn  any  particulars  of  their  habits. 

10.  Oadi's  mokriiu  .  Iiinnfeus. 

The  Cod  of  the  North  Paciflc  ranges  to  about  latitude  04°  30' N.  on  the  American  shores, 
and  ])erhaps  not  so  high  on  the  Kauu;hatkan  side.  The  limit  of  their  imrtliern  boundary  is  the 
line  of  constant  ice  during  midwinter,  although  the  northern  limit  of  these  flsh  is  not  yet  well 
matle  out. 

The  Cod  fisheries  of  Alaska  are  of  great  importance,  the  banks  very  extensive,  and  containing 
an  abundancie  of  tisli  for  all  |)uri)oses. 

The  favorite  localities  are  the  Sliumagin  Islands,  Cook's  Inlet,  and  throughout  th»i  Aleutian 
Islands.  North  of  Aliaska  the  best-known  locality  is  about  thirty  miles  luutheast  of  Amak  Island, 
and  another  of  jirobably  less  importance  lies  thirty  miles  off  shore  from  Cape  Strog<Miof  to  the  nmutli 
of  Hulinni  River.  An  tng  the  Aleutian  Islands,  especially  on  the  north  side,  a  hook  (ian  st^arcely 
be  thrown  in  the  water  without  taking  a  Cod.  One  of  the  locialities  where  the  best  fish  are  taken 
among  the  Aleutian  Islands  is  off  tlie  north  head  of  Unalashka.  Another  is  at  theentramietoNazan 
Harbor  (Atkha  Islainl)  and  on  the  north  side  of  Atkha  Islaiul.  Off  the  northeast  shoulder  ot 
Kiska  Island,  and  in  recent  years  olf  the  northwest  shoulder  of  Attn  Island,  they  ae  abnn*lant. 

I  have  learned  of  nothing  that  would  lead  me  to  believe  in  large  migrations  of  t'le  Aleutian  Cod. 
They  retire  to  tin'  deeper  waters  of  the  neighborhood  on  the  approach  of  winter,  and  draw  near  the 
land  in  May.  They  are  most  abundant  in  .Inly  and  Septemlier  in  some  localities,  and  in  others  in  Feb- 
ruary end  March.  The  time  of  their  greatest  abundance  at  any  particular  locality  varies  according 
to  circumstances  that  are  not  yet  well  understood.  Whileat  Amchitka  Island  in  IH.Sl  I  si>w  the  bones 
of  ('odfish  of  suci  size  as  to  excite  wonder,  yet  1  was  informed  by  miti  ves  that  the  Cod  oidy  comes  ou 
the  north  side  of  that  island  in  .Inly  and  never  stay  later  than  the  first  of  September.  Rones  of 
immense  size  were  extremely  abundant  on  the  soil  around  the  ancient  village  sites.  At  Attu 
8.  Mis.  155 12 


90 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THIS  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASIf  A. 


Island  the  Codfish  are  very  numerous  at  the  present  day.  They  attain  immense  size  there.  I  saw 
one  individual  in  February,  1881,  that  weighed  Just  out  of  the  water  an  even  thirty  jiounds.  The 
fish  was  fat  and  vigorous.  It  was  caught  in  water  of  about  twenty-flve  fathoms.  The  natives  ot 
Attn  inform  me  that  the  CoJ  has  not  long  been  an  inhabitant  of  the  waters  a.  ound  tliat  island.  Its 
advent  was  near  1873.  Previous  to  that  time  individuals  had  been  obtained  but  rarely,  and  many 
of  the  men  had  not  seen  a  Cod  prcvions  to  that  time.  At  Atkha  Island  the  Cod  also  attains  a  great 
size.  I  have  never  seen  a  sickly  flsh  at  that  place.  In  the  entrance  to  the  "Old  Harbor"  {Starry 
Oaven),  on  the  north  side,  the  old  m^n  repair  in  summer  to  catch  the  Cod  to  dry  for  winter.  They 
assert  that  they  are  plentiful  and  Oi  larger  size  than  anj' other  locality  near  that  island. 

At  Unalashka  these  fish  arc  very  abundant  and  here  unhealthy  flsh  are  quite  common,  though 
on  the  outside  of  the  northeast  point  of  the  island  large,  healthy  fish  are  taken  in  greatest  abundance. 
The  supply  among  1  e  Aleutian  Islands  being  always  equal  to  the  demand  made  on  them.  The  na- 
tives frequently  sell  the  surplus  flsh  to  the  company,  which  salts  them  to  send  to  the  Pribylof 
Islands  for  the  use  of  the  people  there.  Of  course  only  large  flsh  are  bought.  The  price  paid  is 
five  cents  in  trade  or  money  for  each  flsh  in  the  fresh,  cleaned  state.  The  size  of  tiie  runs  of  flsh 
depends  greatly  on  the  season  and  depth  of  \r  :,ter  from  which  they  are  obtained.  The  larger  flsh 
are  obtained  from  the  deeper  water.  The  average  weight  of  the  flsh  among  the  Aleutian  waters 
will  be  alwut  twelve  pounds.  Individuals  of  18  to  24  {wunds  are  quite  common,  while  the  majority 
of  the  catch  will  bo  about  fifteen  to  sixteen  pounds.  It  is  possible  that  the  off-shore  flsh  will 
average  one  or  two  pounds  more  than  the  shore  flsh.  Myriads  of  small  Cod  are  to  be  seen  round 
the  wharves  at  Unalashka  during  the  latter  part  of  September,  and  all  of  October.  These  bite 
readily  at  the  hook. 

A  piece  of  jther  flsh  is  generally  used  for  bait  for  catching  Cod.  The  Codflsh  is  one  of  the 
principal  food-flshes  of  the  Aleuts.  They  frequently  go  out  to  the  banks,  some  miles  off  shore,  and 
in  the  course  of  a  few  hours  return  with  their  canoe  loaded  tlowu  to  the  water's  edge  with  fine  fish. 
They  prepare  great  quantities  of  these  fish  for  winter's  use  by  drying  them.  Their  manner  of 
preparing  them  is  as  follows :  The  head  is  partly  severed  from  the  body  at  the  throat,  the  gills  are 
taken  out,  a  slit  along  the  boUy  and  the  entrails  are  removed,  the  backbone  is  cut  on  each  side 
and  either  removed  as  far  as  the  tail,  which  is  left  to  hold  the  two  sides  together  to  allow  them  to 
be  hung  over  a  pole,  or  else  it  is  left  in  and  dried  with  the  body.  When  flsh  are  abundant  this  is 
rarely  done.  The  sides  are  then  cut  transversely  through  the  flesh  to  the  skin  and  tl't*  body  then 
hung  up  by  the  tail  to  dry.  During  rainy  weather  an  old  sealskin  is  tied  over  the  bunches  of 
fish  to  keep  them  dry  as  possible.  When  the  fish  are  suf£jiently  dry  they  are  stored  away  for 
future  use.  The  ravens  have  a  fine  time  watching  the  stages  of  drying  flsh,  for  if  there  is  any- 
thing which  a  raven  loves  it  is  a  flsh  that  an  Aleut  has  hung  up  to  dry.  The  natives  of  Attn  will 
not  i)ermit  cats  to  be  kept  on  the  island,  because  the  cats,  which  they  furuierly  hud,  ate  or  des- 
troyed more  flsh  in  one  night  than  an  Aleut  woman  could  hang  up  in  a  day.  It  would  be  interest- 
ing to  know  bow  many  Cod  are  taken  by  the  Aleuts  west  of  Uniniak  Pass.  If  each  fisherman  re- 
I)orted  daily  to  the  "  Tyone  "  the  number  taken,  the  anmunt  could  be  given  to  the  agent  of  the  com- 
pany there,  and  at  the  end  of  the  year  a  very  nearly  approximate  total  could  be  given. 

The  api>earance  of  the  Cod  is  extremely  variable.  The  darker-colored  flsh  are  generally  the 
older  ones,  and  most  of  them  have  a  dark  patch  at  the  base  of  the  bead.  The  general  color  alH>ve  is 
a  variable  dirty  brown  to  dusky.  The  sides  are  i>ule  brown  to  gray,  becoming  nearly  pure  white  on 
the  Itelly  and  lower  side  of  the  head.  Back  of  the  anal  fin  the  color  is  generally  the  same  as  thai  of 
the  middle  of  the  sides  of  the  body.  The  older  flsh  have  tiie  more  uniform  colors,  while  the  middle 
size  and  younger  flsh  have  the  colors  more  distinct  and  the  blot4;hes  are  less  confluent. 

The  ground  color  of  the  flsh  is  also  variable,  being  gray,  yellowish,  plumbeus,  or  even  sooty. 

The  size  and  shape  of  the  head  are  also  extremely  variable;  in  fact  scarcely  any  two  flsh  caught 
the  same  day  will  have  similar  heads. 

18.  TiLBBiA  UBAGIM8  (Tiles)  Swainsou.    (See  Fig.  III.) 
This  species  is  known  to  the  natives  and  white  residents  of  Saint  Michnel's  district  as  Vi'ikh  nya, 
a  word  of  uncertain  origin,  but  supposed  U  have  been  introduced  from  Siberia,  as  it  is  used  by  the 


C'uutrtb,  Nat.  UUt.  Aluaku.— Tuiul'V. 


. 


< 
Pi 

o 


CO 

a 


■7 


PLATE  3. 


■H 


(JONTKIBUTION8  TO  THK  NATUKAL  11I8TOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


91 


KuHsian-Bpeaking  population.  The  Eskimo  name  of  tbis  fish  if*  ^  Mth  loo  Ak.  Many  of  tlio 
white  traderH  give  tiiis  tlHii  the  Kiiglish  name  of  " Touicod." 

Natives  of  Unuhishka  speak  of  tlie  flsli  as  Wdh  nya,  a  name  nsed  by  all  the  Kussian-speaking 
people  where  this  species  occiiis. 

At  Haint  Michael's  this  s])ei;ies  is  a  (;oi;stant  resident,  and  wonderfully  abundant  at  all  seasons. 
In  the  spring,  as  noo:i  as  the  ice  goes  out,  they  are  caught  from  all  the  small  points  of  land  that 
project  into  the  water.  During  the  summer  but  few  are  caught  as  the  abundance  of  other  Ashes 
make  the  V'akhnya  little  sought  after. 

When  the  ice  in  November  has  set,  small  holes  of  a  few  inches  in  diameter  are  cut  through  it. 
The  thin  ice  which  may  form  during  the  night  is  easily  removed  with  the  ice  ])ick,  and  scooikhI  out 
with  a  small  sieve-like  scoop  of  a  few  inches  in  diameter,  having  a  hoop  made  of  bone,  horn,  or  wood, 
and  netted  across  with  whalebone  (baleen)  or  sinew.  This  scoop  is  also  used  to  free  the  holti  from 
slush  which  drifting  snow  may  make  during  the  day  while  Ashing.  The  hook  used  by  the  Kskimo 
consists  of  a  ])iece  of  slightly  (uirved  bone,  ivory,  or  deer  horn.  A  small  piece  of  metal  (preferably 
copper,  as  this  will  not  be  so  easily  broken  as  steel  or  iron)  is  sharpene<l  and  Armly  set  in  the  con- 
cave side  of  the  shaft  of  the  hook.  No  barb  is  used,  as  the  weather  is  so  cold  in  winter  that  the 
hands  would  be  fm/.en  in  removing  the  Ash,  which  the  presence  of  the  barb  would  render  necessary. 
Without  the  barb  the  Ash  is  detached  instantly  unless  the  hook  is  swallowed  too  far.  Sometimes 
the  hook  is  made  to  imitate  Uie  form  of  the  sea-slug  or  other  crustacean.  The  great  secret  is  to 
keep  the  line  taut,  so  that  in  drawing  it  to  the  surface  the  Ash  has  no  chance  to  become  detached, 
but  does  so  as  soon  as  the  line  is  slackened.  The  bait  used  is  generally  a  piece  of  fresh  Ash  of  any 
kind.  The  bait  is  secured  to  the  hook  by  two  little  sinew  threiuls  which  are  fastened  to  the  upper 
part  of  the  hook.  This  keeps  the  bait  from  being  taken  off  by  the  Ash,  as  in  winter  it  would  be 
serious  work  to  fasten  on  bait  every  few  minutes.  All  this  is  done  before  leaving  the  village.  The 
line  is  generally  made  of  whalebone  (baleen),  cut  into  long  strips,  and  |)olislied  so  that  the  water 
will  not  cling  to  it  and  freeze.  The  lower  part  of  the  line  next  the  hook  is  sometimes  made  of  strips 
of  the  shaft  of  the  (piill  of  a  gull,  goose,  or  swan,  or  the  sinew  from  the  wing  of  a  swan  is  also  used. 
Several  of  these  snoods  may  be  used  on  one  line,  and  during  times  of  abundance  of  Ash  eiuih  hook 
will  hav»!  a  Ash  on  it. 

Each  of  these  materials  has  the  ]U'operty  of  not  retaining  the  water  on  its  surface,  so  that  the 
line  rarely  becomes  clogged  with  ice.  A  sinker  is  seldom  used,  excepting  in  summer  Ashing,  and 
then  may  be  a  grooved  stone  from  the  beach,  or  often  a  |>iece  of  ivory  is  cut  in  imitation  of  a  Ash 
and  tied  on  the  line  wiih  the  tail  upward.  This  serves  two  purposes,  one  to  represent  a  Ash  going 
down  to  seize  the  bait  and  make  the  live,  big  Ash  hurry  up  and  bite,  and  secondly,  to  make  less 
resistance  when  the  line  is  drawn  from  the  water.  Just  above  the  hooks  are  sometimes  found  small 
red  beads,  or  the  little  led  processes  which  are  to  be  found  on  the  base  of  the  bill  of  the  anklet  {Simo- 
rhynchm  cristatellus).    These  are  also  used  as  attractions  for  the  lisli. 

The  Eskimo  Ashernian,or  woman,  goes  out  early  in  the  morning  to  the  hole,  which  has  been 
made  the  day  before,  for  while  cutting  it  out  the  Ash  are  frightened  away  from  it  and  nothing  will 
be  caught  that  time.  The  person  takes  a  grass  sack  or  basket  along  to  carry  the  Ash  home  in.  A 
piece  of  old  sealskin  or  grass  mat  is  taken  to  sit  on.  On  arrival  at  the  pla«e  it  is  carefully  cleaned 
out  by  means  of  the  seine-like  scoops  with  as  little  disturbance  as  possible,  the  line  prepared  and  let 
down  into  the  water.  Ere  many  seconds  one  or  two  Ash  will  be  drawn  (uit  and  slung  high  in  the 
air ;  and,  as  they  slap  down  on  the  ice  they  invariably  become  detached  from  the  hook.  The  native 
is  now  in  good  humor,  as  an  abundanc^e  of  Ash  is  indicated  by  their  taking  the  hook  when  Arst  put 
down.  He  takes  ott'  hi  glove  and  contentedly  reaches  behind  his  right  ear  for  the  quid  of  to- 
bacco, which  has  lain  t.  ..-re  for  the  last  twelve  hours,  covered  by  his  abundant  locks  of  hair;  and, 
thrusting  it  far  back  between  the  teeth  and  cheek,  calmly  lets  it  soak  while  he  pulls  out  dozens 
of  Vakhni  (plural  form  of  the  word).  When  he  has  caught  a  sufficient  number  he  gives  a  signal  for 
those  on  the  lookout  to  come  with  a  dog  and  sled  to  carry  them  home.  During  favorable  times 
two  or  three  bushels  may  be- caught  by  a  single  Asherman.  Any  that  are  not  wanted  for  home 
consumption  are  brought  to  the  trading  post  and  sold  for  so  much  per  basketful  of  about  75  to  125 
Ash,  the  price  being  Afteen  to  twenty  cents  in  trade,  which  represents  six  to  lune  cents  in  money. 
During  the  winter  Ashing  a  short  pole  is  used,  while  in  summer  a  longixtle  is  held  over  the  pro- 


92 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


icdlnjj  ledgo  of  rottkH.  The  number  of  flali  of  this  sppcies  coiiHiiiiioil  by  the  inbHbitantfl  of  Norton 
Sound  is  (>iu)rniouH.  They  are  ustMl  as  food  for  man  and  dog.  The  uativcH  citJiw  cook  tluun  by 
boiliuir,  or  else  freeze  and  oat  theai  raw.  I  liave  never  eaten  a  boiled  Vakhnya,  neither  do  I 
dcNiro  to  eat  it.  Tiie  Hosh  in  rather  firm,  but  in  a  very  nhort  time  be(!ome.s  watery.  When  (liey 
are  fried  hard  and  brown  tliey  do  well  enough  as  a  change  but  not  as  a  regular  diet  month  after 
month.  1  have  eaten  them  while  fVozon  so  bard  that  the  tiesh  had  to  be  sluived  oft'  with  a  knife, 
but  there  is  so  little  fleshy  fiber  and  so  much  water  in  the  meat  that  it  is  like  eating  ico  made  from 
the  water  in  which  they  were  boiled. 

The  geographical  distribution  of  this  species  is  not  well  made  out.  They  occur  on  the  mainland 
shores  of  Alaska  from  Bering  Strait  to  Kadiak  Island.  Auu)ng  tlie  Aleutian  Islands  I  have  seen 
this  si)ecie8  only  at  Unidashka,  and  there  only  on  two  (xuiasions  and  not  half  a  dozen  fish  altogether. 
I  do  not  believe  that  it  occurs  to  the  westward  of  that  island,  as  all  in<|inries  cone4>rning  it  at 
Atkha  and  Attn  elicited  no  infonnatioit  that  led  me  to  recognize  tliis  species  as  CNisting  there. 

T!ic  Eskimo  assert  that  these  fish  spawn  in  February  among  the  pebbles  at  the  bottoms  of  the 
deeper  jjortions  of  tlie  bays.  I  have  seen  small  fry  of  this  speciies  in  the  latter  i)art  of  Septem- 
iter  and  in  October.  They  were  about  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half  in  length.  They  do  not  as- 
semble in  huge  s(!hool8,  but  seem  to  stream  out  irregularly  along  the  beatili  and  search  round 
and  round  for  food.  There  appears  to  bo  but  little  regularity  in  their  method  of  moving  fnmi  place 
to  i)lace  for  either  young  or  old  fisli. 

There  is  considerable  individual  variation  in  this  species.  Some  have  a  darker  (iolor  than 
others  and  a  slightly  different  shape.  The  general  color  when  fresh  is  a  grayish  brown  above, 
becoming  lighter  on  the  sides  and  belly.  Toward  the  tail  the  color  is  also  lighter.  Some  indi- 
viduals have  sn)all,  darker  colored  spots  on  the  sides;  but  this  seems  to  be  due  to  the  efl'ect  of 
season,  as  tlie  greater  number  of  spotted  fish  are  t«  be  found  in  the  winter  months. 

The  size  of  this  species  is  not  great.  They  rarely  attain  a  greater  length  than  fifteen  inches 
and  not  more  than  a  pound  and  a  quarter  in  weight. 

19.  Lota  maculosa  (Le  S.)  Rich. 

'this  species  is  tlu^  "7/osA"  of  the  Hudson  Bay  men:  and  the  name  lias  been  introduced  into 
Alaska  also,  as  the  Russians,  in  speaking  of  this  fish,  always  uae  the  word  ♦'  Losh." 

This  fish  attains  a  considerable  size,  oft«n  of  more  than  four  feet  long  and  weighing  sixty  to 
seventy  five  pounds.  Their  flesh  is  firm  and  dry,  scarcely  eatable,  used  principally  as  dog  food. 
The  liver  is  very  large,  and  conlains  a  great  quantity  of  rich  oil  which  is  highly  prized  for  cooking 
purposes  by  both  whites  and  natives.  When  part  of  the  oil  ha«  been  removed  from  the  liver  the 
latter  is  then  excellent  food  when  fried  and  eaten  hot.  The  roe  also  attains  an  immense  size,  and 
aftbrds  a  very  rich  soup.  This  species  is  found  only  in  the  Yukon  River,  so  far  as  my  own  knowl- 
edge is  concerned.     It  is  said  to  be  abundant  throughout  the  Hudson  Bay  territory. 

1  am  not  aware  tliat  it  visits  the  sea.  The  lowest  point  on  the  Yukon  River  from  which  I  could 
obtain  any  infornnition  was  at  the  Mission,  and  from  there  up  to  Fort  Yukon  it  is  plentiful  during 
the  winter  months.    It  is  usual,\  taken  in  wooden  (wicker)  tmps. 

The  specimens  which  I  saw  were  brought  from  Nulato  to  be  used  for  dog-feed  while  on  a  trip. 
They  were  too  large  too  be  ])re8erved  by  any  means  at  my  disposal. 

LTCODID.S]. 


20.  Gymnelis  VIR1DI8  (Fabr.)  Reiuhardt. 

The  small  fish  discribed  under  this  name  were  obtained  at  Saint  Michael's,  October  10, 1876. 
They  are  to  be  found  at  low  tide  under  iie  flat  stones  in  the  muddy  places  along  the  beach.  They 
scoop  out  the  mud  and  a  slight  amount  of  water  is  retained  in  the  depression  until  the  return  of 
the  tide.  They  are  very  plentiful  in  such  localities;  as  many  as  a  half  dozen  may  be  found  uuder 
a  stone  not  over  a  foot  in  diameter.    Their  food  consists  of  slugs  and  marine  worms. 

They  are  small  in  size,  rarely  over  four  or  five  inches  in  length  and  of  very  sleu  ler  botly.  The 
cx>lor  is  uniform,  dark  sooty-brown  with  a  greenish  reflection  when  wet.  Many  interrupted  bands 
of  lighter  color  extend  ou  uides  and  lower  jiarts. 


('iMitrlli.  Nil).  IliHi.  AtimKu  — 'I'iiiim'I. 


PLATE  4. 


>^, 


Mf 


f  ^    '   \ 


im^t 


^^ 


u 
z 

h 

0) 

u 
Q 
O 

u 

>• 


r\ 


U>^ 


f^' 


•■-fc 


'■■'\ 


'■h 


-w*, 


'^"^"^W^PUBWllN         J    I  1,1 


L'ontrlb.  Niii.  Illat.  \l.wliii._TiiniKr. 


PLATB  a. 


!'S 


m 


t 


m 


>cS^. 


5,W' 


^ 


«;^^ 


n 

3 

o: 

o 

h 

a 
u 
-) 

CO 

< 

X 
u 

n 

< 

z 
< 


•tf^K^ 


:?**,; 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATITRAIi  IIIHTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


93 


Thej  are  difitribnteil  aloti)?  the  ROHRf  AN  far  north  hm  H<>riiiK':i  Htrait  lunl  on  the  Kniiichntkiin 
shore.    They  mioiir  ainnnf;  the  Aleutian  InhindN,  but  not  ho  pUMitifiill.v  nx  rartlicr  north. 

The  Biikiino  name  of  tliiH  Rpecieit  In  Kooth  hc'y  nk,  a  name  I  <;oul(l  not  uet  the  Ni^nitleation  of. 

21.  IjYCOdks  TlTBNKBl  liean.     (See  Kij;.  IV.) 

A  Ringle  npeciinen,  of  thin  hitherto  unknown  HpeeioN,  waH  coUecteii  Mnieh  2K,  18711,  at  Saint 
Mi(!hael'8,  Atatka. 

It  wnH  Helected  from  anion);  a  lot  of  other  IIhIi,  which  had  h«>i'n  caught  tiirou^'h  iiolen  in  the  ice. 

It  is  not  a  common  fish,  a8  it  wan  the  only  one  Heen  while  at  that  place,  hence  nothiiiK  can  he 
((iven  of  its  habitH. 

This  Nppciea  has  been  fully  dcHcribed  in  I'roc.  1 1.  H.  National  MuNcinn,  N'ol.  I,  p.  lO-'J-KW,  1M78, 
by  Dr.  Tarlet^n  H.  Bean,  of  the  U.  8.  FIhIi  (JornmiHNion. 

8TICHiSlID2Q. 

23.  S'rioiiy«iis  puNfiTATUH  (Fabr.)  Runhardt. 

A  Hinjjle  individual  of  this  species  was  collected  at  Saint  Michad'H,  Alaska,  June  2I>,  1874.  It 
was  picked  up  on  the  beiuth  after  a  rather  severe  storm. 

Previous  to  my  flnding  this  specimen  it  had  not  been  detected  (in  the  I'acillc  -  iwst. 

The  tish  is  quite  small,  about  live  and  a  half  incdies  long. 

It  has  no  economic  value,  and  is  of  rare  occurrencic. 

A  full  description  of  this  species,  togctlier  with  (^onipaiative  tables  with  n  her  sp  ■  imeiis  (Voiu 
the  Atlantic,  will  be  found  in  Proc.  V.  8.  National  MuMenni,  Vol.  I,  p.  l!7!t--.-il,  187«,  by  Di.  Tarle 
ton  H.  Beau,  V.  8.  Fish  Cor  risiou. 

XIPHISTBRIDA. 

28.  anoplarchus  atbopubpubkhs  (Kittlitz)  Oill. 

This  little  flsh  is  usually  found  associated  with  Ojimntlin  ivViV/m  and  MnrmioxkK  orhntux  under 
the  Hat  stones  among  the  silt  washed  from  the  high  banks  above. 

This  species  rarely  attains  a  greater  size  than  six  inches,  and  as  it  has  nu  economic  value  it  is  of 
little  importance. 

.30,  MuB^NOiDES  OBNATUS  (Oirard)  Gill. 
I  obtained  several  specimens  of  this  species  at  Atkha  Island,  May  2!>,  IS7!>,  They  are  abun- 
dant among  the  mud  which  has  been  washed  from  the  high  turf  banks  above  and  lodged  between 
the  crevices  of  the  rocks  in  the  water  below.  Where  the  various  patches  of  seaweeds  grow  these 
fish  may  be  found  at  low  tide  by  turning  aside  the  alga-.  Hometiines  a  i)erf'eet  nest,  containing  a 
dozen  or  more  individuals,  may  be  found  in  such  a  small  place  that  it  will  be  tilled  with  these  tish. 
It  rarely  attains  a  great  size.  The  largest  speciincn  was  eleven  iiu^hes.  The  smaller  ones  are  a 
beautiful  red  color,  dotted  with  minute  black  spots  in  life.  This  species  occurs  among  a!l  the 
Aleutian  Islands.    I  am  not  aware  that  the  natives  use  it  for  food. 

ANARRHICHADIDJB. 

32.  Anabbhiohas  i.eptukus  Bean.    (See  Fig.  V.) 
Two  specimens  were  obtained  at  Saint  Michael's,  one  June  24.  187fi,  the  other  June  10,  1877. 
This  species  had  not  previously  been  represented  from  the  Pacific. 

Itisamigratory  fish,  coming  to  the  shores  at  Saint  Michael's  as  soon  aH  the  ice  leaves  the 
beach.  It  remains  until  ice  forms  in  November.  During  the  period  between  those  dates  it  is 
quite  plentiAil.  It  frequents  the  rocky  ledges,  shelves,  and  points  which  have  vegetation  growing 
near  the  edge  of  the  water.  The  Eskimo  prize  the  flesh  of  this  fish  very  highly.  The  meat  is 
white,  firm,  and  of  a  flue  flavor.  The  Eskimo  bait  a  large  hook  with  tender  grass  roots  and  cast 
it  into  the  water  when  the  tide  is  at  half  flood  in  the  evening,  as  the  t*K»>  is  mostly  nocturnal 
in  its  habita.  The  part  of  the  line  near  the  hook  is  usually  made  of  a  stift'  strip  of  baleen  to  pre- 
vent the  numerous  teeth  of  the  fish  from  cutting  the  line  in  two.    The  strong  teeth  are  used  to  tear 


u 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


the  HO(l8  of  grass  that  may  wash  into  the  son  from  the  shore  or  cliH'  ledges  into  pieces  to  eat.  My 
attention  was  once  directed  to  a  Heating  sod  a  short  distance  from  tiie  shore,  going  througli  strange 
raiitions.  I  called  the  attention  of  the  native  with  mo.  He  informed  uie  .  hat  it  was  a  Koo  choo  thldk 
eating  it.  1  well  knew  that  that  name  was  applied  to  this  species.  I  tiirected  the  canoe  toward 
bhe  smi  and  saw  the  tlsh  tearing  it.  It  was  with  difficnlty  that  we  made  the  flsh  leave  its  food,  and 
only  aft<nr  several  thrusts  at  it  with  the  patldledid  it  switu  off.  The  natives  told  me  how  to  catch 
them.  I  afterward  saw  them  set  their  liooks,  baited  witli  grassroots,  and  was  assured  that  a  tlsh 
would  be  taken  by  morning. 

The  upper  parts  and  s:ies  are  uniform  dark  chocolate-brown  in  life.  The  abdomen  is  lighter, 
sometimes  gray,  clouded  with  brownish. 

The  natives  strip  the  skin  from  this  tish  and  tan  it,  to  be  used  in  inserting  between  the  seams 
of  boots  and  other  waterproof  garments.  The  skin  of  the  tish  is  said  to  swell  when  moistened,  and 
thus  draw  the  threads  tighter  together.  The  dried  skin  is  totally  difl'erent  from  the  fresh  skin,  in 
that  it  is  nearly  black  and  beautifully  mottled  with  black  and  silvery  dots. 

I  have  not  seen  this  species  in  any  other  locality,  though  it  doubtless  occurs  in  other  portions 
of  the  waters  of  Bering  Sea. 

A  full  description  of  this  species  is  given  in  Proc.  U.  8.  National  Museum,  Vol.  II,  pp.  2r2-214, 
1879,  by  Dr.  Tarleton  11.  Beaii,  of  the  U.  S.  Fish  Jomuiission. 

LIPARIDIDiC. 

LirABis  OAi.i.iODON  (Pallas)  (Jiiiither. 
This  small  flsh  was  collected  by  me  at  Saint  Michael's,  Alaska,  in  the  early  part  of  October, 
187(5.     They  are  usually  found  attached  to  rocks  by  the  sucker-like  disk  on  the  thorax.    They 
rarely  attain  a  greater  length  than  three  inches  and  are  not  common  in  that  locality.    The  Eskimo 
name  of  this  species  is  Niip  e'  chfili,  meaning  sucler.    They  are  of  no  economic  importance. 

38.  LiPAKis  CYCLOi'US  Giiuther. 
A  single  specimen  of  this  species  was  obtained  by  me  June  '28,  187{),  at  Atklia  Island.     It  is 
quite  small,  rarely  attaining  a  lengtli  of  over  two  and  a  half  inches.     It  inhabits  the  vliallow  de- 
pressions in  the  rocky  shelves  of  the  bead   where  the  tide  overtlDWs.     It  was  not  a  common  flsh, 
as  1  saw  but  two  specimens  during  the  foui  months  of  my  stay  at  the  i)lace. 

AGONID^. 

40.  SiPHACiONiTS  BARBATUS  Htcindachuer. 
A  single  specimen  of  this  species  was  picked  up  dead  on  the  beach  at  lliuliuk  village,  Una- 
lashka  Island,  in  August,  1878.  It  was  the  only  specimen  seen  there.  1  could  olitain  no  informa- 
tion conceri'::.B  it«  habits,  excepting  that  the  natives  asserted  that  it  is  "a  seaweed  lisli,"  leading 
me  to  infer  that  it  frequented  the  patches  oi'/iici  and  other  alga:  It  was  shown  to  several  persons 
at  Attn  Island.  Those  natives  assured  me  that  it  is  fre<iuontly  found  there.  It  is  a  small  (ish  of 
only  five  and  a  half  inches  in  length.    It  is  not  used  for  food. 

COTTIDJB. 

43.  CoTTUS  tj>;nioptebiis  Kner.    (See  Fig.  VI.) 

This  species  occurs  abundantly  throughout  that  part  of  the  Territory  north  of  the  Aleutian 
Islands.  It  is  a  constant  resident  of  Norton  Sound.  During  the  summer  months  tliey  are  ex- 
tremely abundiint.  The  Eskimo  prize  the  ilesh  very  highly,  though  they  have  so  many  subcuta- 
neous parasites  ttiat  I  couhl  not  induce  myself  to  touch  the  Hesh. 

They  attain  quite  a  large  si/,e,  though  the  average  is  about  a  foot  long.  The  head  is  so  large 
that  the  body  is  quite  small  when  ))repared  for  the  table. 

The  general  form  of  this  species  is  much  more  slender  than  the  others.  The  colors  of  the  fresh 
fish  are  much  varied,  principally  shades  of  gray  and  brown  with  large  blotches  of  yellowish  on 
the  fins. 


i 


Coutllb.  Nut.  lliat.  Alasltu— Tinurr. 


PLATE  6. 


01 

D 
K 
U 


O 

Z 

CO 

D 


O 

u 


I 


Coutrib.  Nat.  lll»t.  Alaska.— Turner. 


PLATE   7. 


a 

D 
X 

CO 

S 
H 
H 
O 
U 


Cuutrlb.  Nut.  Hiat.  Aluxkii.— Turuur. 


PLATE  8. 


OS 

a 

< 
C4 

D 
S 

s 
<: 

X 

u 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TIIK  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


90 


44.  COTTITS  POLYAOANTHOCRPHALDS  PallaS. 

Tbe  Spiiiy-lieadecl  Sciilpin  is  very  abuiulant  among  all  the  Aleutian  IslandH.  I  am  not  aware 
that  it  occnrH  north  of  AliuMka  on  the  American  side. 

It  does  not  ditTer  in  habits  from  the  other  specieH,  and  like  them  Ih  nned  for  food  by  the  Aleuts 
and  some  of  the  whites. 

It  attains  a  greater  size  than  the  preceding  species,  has  a  larger  head  and  thicker  body.  The 
colorri^ion  is  also  different.  The  ground  color  is  dark  brown ;  sides  and  tail  are  more  or  less  dis- 
tinctly banded  with  yellowish  ;  the  dorsal  fin  has  two  oblique  dark  bunds  in  front  and  three  ou  the 
posterior  part.    The  anal  Hn  has  four  dark  bands;  each  of  the  outer  ones  less  evident. 

The  pectoral  has  three  irregular  bands  of  dark  brown  with  yellowish  spots.  The  caudal  is 
obscurely  banded  with  dark  brown  and  tipped  with  yellowish. 

46.  CoTTUS  HiTMiLis  Bean.    (See  Fig.  VII.) 

This  Sculpin  is  very  abundant  at  Saint  Michael's  throughout  the  year.  During  winter  they 
retire  to  the  deeper  portions  of  the  bays.  In  summer  they  approach  the  shores  and  obtain  most  of 
their  food  durlug  the  flooding  of  the  tide.  They  ui  o  not  active ;  usually  they  progress  a  few  feet  and 
then  rest  quietly  on  the  bottom.  When  a  desirable  object  of  food  conies  near  they  give  a  quick  dash 
niton  it.  The  size  of  the  mouth  makes  up  for  any  ap])arent  lack  of  sjiecd.  The  Eskimo  call  this 
species  Kd  nukh  pfik,  or  Big-mouth.  The  Russian  name  is  Kalug,  and  is  applied  to  all  the  species 
of  this  genus  which  occur  there.  The  Sculpins  are  generally  taken  with  hook  and  line.  Any  kind 
of  fresh  meat  is  used  for  bait.  The  fish  are  voracious  feeders,  and  when  caught  with  the  steel 
hooks  they  frequently  swallow  the  hook  so  deei)ly  that  the  tish  has  to  be  ripped  open  to  take  it 
out.  They  are  caught  principally  by  the  old  women  and  men  who  are  not  able  to  go  great  distances 
to  procure  other  food. 

Other  species  of  Sculpins  occur  in  Alaskan  waters,  but  a  lack  of  means  to  preserve  a  great 
nuniber  of  specimens  necessitated  my  collecting  only  the  most  important. 
54.  IlEMiLEPiDOTUS  JORDANi  Bean. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  species  was  taken  in  October  at  Unalashka.  It  is  a  common  species, 
and  occurs  throughout  the  Aleutian  Islands.  It  attains  a  considerable  size,  often  fourteen  to 
sixteen  inches  in  length.  The  general  color  above  is  umber-brown,  becoming  yellowish-brown 
below,  with  numerous  spot^  and  blotches  of  irregular  size  on  sides  and  fins.  This  tish  is  considered 
excellent  food.  It  is  not  infested  with  parasites  like  other  fishes  of  its  kind.  They  have  similar 
habits  with  the  true  Sculi)ius. 

CHIRIDiB. 

70.  Uexagbammus  asper  Steller.    (See  Fig.  VIII.) 

This  fish  is  knowu  to  the  English-speaking  people  of  Saint  Michael's  and  the  IJnalashkan  dis- 
tricts as  "  Rock-cod,"  and  to  the  Russian-speaking  population  as  "  Terpdo/;,"  a  word  moaning  a 
rasp. 

The  "  Terpoog"  frequents  the  rocky  ledges,  points  of  land  which  extend  into  the  water,  and 
shallow  coves,  fhose  places  where  the  various  kinds  of  sea- weeds  abound  are  the  best  resorts  for 
this  fish.  When  the  tide  is  high  they  seek  their  food  among  the  rocky  reefs.  The  natives  value 
their  flesh  very  highly.  The  meat  is  quite  firm  and  contains  lew  bones;  it  has  a  peculiar  greenish 
color,  but  eoou  becomes  light  in  color  after  the  death  of  the  fish.  The  women  do  most  of  the  fish- 
ing for  these  fish.  Any  kind  of  fresh  meat  is  used  for  bait.  Frequently  the  women  will  be  taken 
by  the  men  to  some  favorite  locality  and  remain  there  to  fish  while  the  men  continue  the  journey 
in  search  of  wood  cast  uj)  on  the  beach,  or  go  out  to  sea  to  catch  Cod  or  other  fish. 

During  the  winter  time  the  foxes  of  the  Aleutian  Islands  catch  many  of  these  "  Rock -cod,"  as 
they  are  left  in  the  shallow  lagoons  or  rock  crevices  by  the  receding  tides.  The  fox  is  quite  expert 
in  catching  the  fish.  He  will  watch  them  for  a  long  time  until  they  w!  ider  into  the  shallower 
water,  upon  which  the  fox  springs,  even  immersing  his  eutire  head  to  seize  the  fish. 

This  species  rarely  attains  a  greater  length  than  fourteen  inches  and  a  weight  of  a  pound  -ind  a 
half  to  two  pounds.    Their  distribution  iu  Alaska  is  the  entire  coast  south  of  Bering's  Strait,  and  in- 


96 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


cludiiiii:  all  tlio  Aleutiuii  IhIiiimIh. 
UnalaHhkn,  Sminakli  uiul  Uiiga. 


The  localities  of  greatest  abnudauce  tti:e  Attu,  Atkha,  Kiaka, 


71.  HuxACRAMMi's  ORDINATUS  (Cope)  BcBIl.' 

TliiH  HpecicH  \\i\»  not  obtiiincti  at  Suiiit  Micliael'H  b.v  ine.  It  is  extremely  abundant  among  the 
Aleutian  IrUuhIh.  It  has  the  Name  habilH  as  the  other  species,  and  is  known  by  the  same  name 
among  the  people  of  that  region. 

72.  IlKXAdiiAMMva  siiPKUCiLTOsrs  (Tall.)  .lord,  and  flilb. 

Thift  species  does  not  difl'cr  in  life  liabits  from  the  other  two.  It  is  abundant  throughout  the 
Aleutian  Islands.  During  tlu-  months  of  AiigiiHl,  September,  and  part  of  October,  the  old  men  of 
the  Attu  take  tiielr  wives  and  repair  to  sonic  favorite  haunt  of  these  tish  and  while  there  (hey 
catch  a  supply,  wlii«!h  is  «lricd  for  winter  u.sc.  The  boys  and  girls  go  at  low  tides  along  the  beach 
and  with  their  hands  search  among  the  seaweeds  and  rock  crevices  for  these  and  other  flsh  which 
are  to  be  usc<l  as  food.  This  species  of  fish  is  quite  variable  in  coloration.  The  ground-color  is 
black,  varying  to  light  Itrown,  with  blotches  on  the  sides  and  abdomen  of  deep  vermilion,  shading 
to  light  umber. 

This  species  is  rarely  over  sixteen  inches  in  length. 

75.  Pleurowrammus  monoi'TKRyoius  (I'all.)  Gill. 

When  I  arrived  at  Unahislika  in  1878  I  heard  much  talk  about  the  "Mackerel."  During  the 
summer  of  that  year  I  had  an  ojiportunity  of  conversing  with  those  who  frequented  the  western 
islands  of  the  (!hain  where  these  fish  were  said  to  abound.  Several  persons  referred  to  these  flsh 
as"Spanish  Mackerel,"  others  called  them  "  Horse  Mackerel"  and  "Alaskan  Mackerel,"  and  under 
several  scientltic  names.  They  were  served  at  the  table  on  several  occasions,  and  all  who  ate  of 
them  highly  praised  their  good  qualities  and  spoke  of  their  great  resemblance  in  taste  to  the 
Atlantic  Ma(;kerel.  It  w  as  not  until  in  May,  1871),  that  I  had  an  opportunity  of  visiting  the  locality 
where  they  were  said  to  l)e  abundant. 

During  the  summer  of  1870  I  was  at  Atkha  Island,  and  soon  made  inquiry  concerning  the 
flsh.  I  was  told  that  they  make  their  appearance  in  the  narrow  piiss  between  the  islands  of  Atkha 
and  Amlia  nbont  the  1st  of  June;  and,  that  the  flsh  invariably  come  fron\  the  Paiiiflc  Ocean,  which 
here  mingles  its  waters  with  that  of  Bering  Sea. 

The  first  arrivals  of  flsh  are  the  males  of  largest  size  and  beauty  of  color.  They  arrive  a  few 
days  before  and  await  the  arrival  of  the  females  and  immature  males. 

By  the  18th  of  June  the  fish  have  come  in  countless  thousands.  They  arrange  themselves 
with  their  heads  toward  the  tide  currents  which  rush  violently  through  the  pass.  The  flood  tide 
sets  in  from  the  Pacific,  while  the  ebb  flows  toward  the  Paciflc,  or,  in  other  words,  a  southerly 
directed  current  for  the  ebb  and  a  northerly  directed  current  for  the  flood  tide.  The  pass  is  very 
rocky,  with  numerous  sunken  rocks  in  the  middle  and  on  the  eastern  side.  The  western  side  of 
the  pass  has  the  deepest  water  and  is  three  fathoms  deep  in  the  chaunel.  On  the  north  side  of 
the  pass  numerous  ledges  of  rocks,  hidden  rocks,  kelp  patches,  and  small  islets  of  but  few  feet 
above  the  water's  edge  are  to  be  found.  It  would  be  very  difficult  navigation  for  a  vessel  of  over 
twenty  tons  to  go  through  there  with  safety.  The  natives  of  the  present  day  cross  pretty  well 
to  the  north  side  of  the  pass  until  they  get  under  Amlia  Island  and  then  run  near  the  shore  of 
Amlia  with  their  small  bidari  or  open  boats. 

Among  the  sea  weeds  or  kelp  patches  on  a  cloudy  day  of  clear  lower  atmosphere  the  flsh  may 
be  seen  in  the  following  order  : 

The  young  males  and  immature  females  form  a  stratum  of  three  or  four  flsh  deep  and  several 
feet  wide,  beneath  these  a  second  stratum  of  older  males  and  females,  whose  roe  is  not  yet  de- 
veloped, and  will  later,  in  the  spawning  season,  take  their  place  with  those  in  the  third  stratum, 
which  is  composed  of  vigorous  males  and  females.  The  latter  are  the  most  abundant.  The 
female  deposits  her  eggs  on  the  kelp,  though  much  of  it  must  doubtless  be  lost  by  the  swift  cur- 
rents washing  it  oil'.  These  Uiales  and  females  remain  in  this  place  until  the  spawning  season  is 
over,  generally  by  the  2Uth  of  July.    After  which  they  gradually  disperse  and  quickly  find  their 


nONTRIBUTrONS  TO  THK  NATfTRAIi  FIISTOUY  OP  ALASKA. 


97 


way  bn'!k  to  tliP  Pacific.  Many  times  I  iiave  hwu  liiiuu  lliiiiliiit  {IliiiiunjloHHHH  fulflarin),  lyiiij?  like 
\aTiie  ttafiHUnwH  lifiieatli  the  lowt-r  Htnitiini  of  HhIi,  waiting  tor  one  to  romt^  within  rcacii.  Witliniit 
mox  ill);  a  (rrcat  diHtaiice  I  could  hoo  over  a  lioxcii  Halibut  at  a  tiuif.  I  <>.stiniatt>il  thi>  w(<it;ht  of 
801110  of  tli(>  larger  oiit'tt  to  l>e  not  lesH  than  tliire  hundred  and  tifty  )iouiidH. 

The  nativcH  of  Atkha  repair  to  tliis  place  aii<l  have  several  turf  houses  of  sin:ill  size  built  there. 
It  is  also  a  |<^ii'deu  spot  where  a  fuw  vegetables,  such  as  radishes,  turnijis,  :ind  a  few  potatoes  are 
idaiited.     To  attend  to  their  pirdeiiH  and  to  be  near  the  lishin^f^romids  the  Aleuts  of  many  places 


not 


have  built  these  HUiiimer  villa;;es  and  call  Iheiii  ha;}!  nik.  Here  assemble  all  the  old  men 
able  to  hunt  and  tluMthildren  and  women  of  the  hunters  t;one  oil' on  a  summer's  cruise  for  sea  otters. 
These  lay  in  a  store  of  drie<l  and  salted  tlsh  for  their  sons  and  friends.  I  made  several  visits  to 
this  pla(re  to  learn  the  habits  of  the  tisli. 

The  natives  obtain  tlie  greater  number  of  the  tlsh  in  the  followiiif;  manner.  I'.acli  man  has  a 
twolioled  bidarka  (canoe).  In  it  a  small  boy  sits  in  the  front  hole  while  llu^  old  man  sits  in  the 
rear  hole.  The  man  uses  a  pole  of  several  feet  in  leutrth  ((feiuMally  nor  less  than  I'i  feet  lon^),  on 
wlii(;h  is  (irmly  secured  a  hook  of  iron,  having;'  a  Hattened  point  with  a  sliar|i  ed^e  and  a  not(!b 
filed  on  the  inner  side  to  act  as  a  barb.  When  the  canoe  arrives  at  the  place  the  boy  is  ordered 
to  seize  hold  of  a  strong;  frond  of  thetSiant  Kelp,  whi(-li  streams  out  sometimes  for  over  a  iiiindred 
feet,  and  among  which  the  tlsh  are  most  abundant.  After  comiiij;  thus  to  an(;li(U',  the  man  care- 
fully thrusts  the  pole  into  the  water,  and  if  the  tisli  are  )>lentiful  he  will  soon  fee!  them  snrgiiif; 
against  it.  He  now  begins  to  Jerk  it  up  and  down  in  the  waler  to  gig  any  tisli  that  may  <;oine 
along.  In  a  few  setiomls  he  brings  one  out.  The  work  now  bc(!omes  ex(!iliiig,  for  sc-arcely  has  the 
pole  been  again  thrust  in  the  water  than  it  is  Jerked  into  another  lisii.  A  man  may  thus,  in  a  <;ouple 
of  hours,  take  two  to  three  hundred  lish.  After  the  canoe  is  loaded  it  is  taken  to  the  shore,  where 
the  women  slit  open  the  back  of  the  rtsh,  lake  off  the  head,  clean  out  the  enlraiis,  and  with  a  cut  on 
each  side,  the  backbone  is  removed  to  the  tail.  The  two  sides  of  the  tisli  are  left  hanging  together 
by  the  tail.  This  is  to  enable  the  fish  to  be  hung  over  a  jiole  to  dry.  Often  the  men  tiring  the  fish 
directly  to  the  principal  village  and  <'leaii  them  there,  though  this  is  done  more  often  when  the 
fish  are  to  be  salted.  At  the  season  between  June  liotli  and  .luly  2r»tii  the  lish  ii  ■  extremely  fat  from 
the  abundance  of  a  small  crustacean,  which  has  previously  eoiiie  in  myriads  lo  the  same  places  as 
tlie.se  lish.  The  fish  which  are  to  be  dried  are  usually  taken  about  the  1st  of  August,  as  they  are 
so  fat  before  that  time  that  I  have  seen  the  oil  drip  from  the  drying  llsli.  They  also,  from  the 
presence  of  the  oil,  become  rancid  in  a  short  time,  and  are  said  not  to  keep  so  well. 

At  Attu  Island  I  also  had  an  excellent  opportunity  for  studying  tlif  habits  of  tlies.^  fish.  At 
this  place  the  fish  are  most  abundant  at  the  entrance  to  Clii(;liagof  llarlioron  the  northeast  shoul- 
der of  the  i.4land.  Several  islets  antl  many  reefs  are  disposeil  nearly  aisross  the  entrance  to  the 
harbor.  Between  these  the  tide  currents  run  with  great  velocity.  An  abundaiue  of  large  kelp 
patches  is  found  in  the  vicinity.  The  fish  arrive  at  Attu,  from  the  southweslward,  alioiit  the  24th 
of  April,  though  this  date  varies  according  to  the  openness  of  the  season.  It  is  rarely  later  than 
the  1st  of  May.  The  tisii  come  at  first  in  a  straggling  manner,  and  tlicir  liist  appearand-  is  made 
known  by  their  being  caught  on  hooks  while  the  men  are  fishing  tor  other  kinds.  Tl|e  first  comers 
are  usually  nearly  adult  males.  They  are  not  fat  on  arrival,  but  soon  become  so  from  the  abundance 
of  small  crustaceans  that  fairly  swarm  among  the  pattihes  of  sea-weed  by  the  KUli  of  May  ;  and  at 
which  time  the  lish  are  tolerably  numerous.  Hy  the  lOth  of  June  thousands  of  these  fish  can  be 
seen  in  the  shallow  water  (about  one  and  a  half  to  eight  fathoms  deeji)  below.  The  natives  here  take 
considerable  quantities  of  these  fish,  and  dry  them  for  use  at  an  early  tlate.  Tiiey  rarely  salt  them, 
for  reason  that,  they  state,  this  fish  makes  the  consumer  thirsty.  When  they  go  tcx^atcih  them  they 
the  visit  the  various  localities  known  to  be  the  haunts  of  these  fish,  and  by  looking  beneath  the  mass 
of  kelp  fronds  can  see  them  if  present ;  if  not,  the  fish  are  ott"  in  the  open  water.  They  then  watch 
every  floating  piece  of  detaclied  sea-weed.  It  is  constantly  turning  round  and  round  like  in  an  eddy 
of  water.  The  fish  are  playing  with  it,  and  there  will  be  found  an  abundance.  The  gaff  is  quickly 
thrust  into  the  water,  and  one  is  soon  struck  and  brought  out. 

I  here  had  opportunity  to  come  to  the  conclusion  that  these  fish  will  bite  readily  at  the  hook. 
I  saw  them  jump  and  struggle  to  get  at  the  gafl'  and  could  feel  them  strike  against  it  while  it  was 
8.  Mis.  155 13 


98 


C'ONTBIBDTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  niSTOItY  OF  ALASKA. 


ill  tliv  wittor,  uiid  iit  times  it  was  impo88il>le  to  liuld  it  in  poHitiuii,  iim  tlio  iiiimh  of  niuviiiK  flsii  uur- 
ri«il  it  along  witii  thetn. 

Any  IdntI  of  froHli  flsh  may  be  used  as  Imit  on  a  Hinall  cod-liook  for  tliesc  fisli.  A  |»ie(!e  of 
H(*4irlnt  flannel  tied  above  the  hook  is  good  to  attract  tlio  llsli,  tut  tlii\v  will  iIkmi  bite  voraoioiiHly. 

With  the  hook  a  person  can  catch  the  flsh  as  fast  as  put  into  the  wiiter.  With  the  use  of  sev- 
eral hooks  on  one  line  several  flsh  may  be  taken  at  once.  With  the  gatf  the  lUli  are  t«ken  in  great 
quantises,  equal  to  all  demands.  The  run  lasts  at  Attn  until  •Inly  2.'>tli,  after  which  the  flsh  are 
■pent  and  slowly  disappear  from  the  waters. 

These  flsh  were  not  known  at  Attu  previous  to  1875.  They  came  niiexpectetlly  and  were  caught 
ou  hooks  set  for  other  flsh.  Since  that  time  the  people  have  liatl  an  abundance  of  them.  From  my 
own  observations  I  am  led  to  assert  that  '>00  barrels  of  2011  pounds  each  can  be  procured  at  Attu 
in  the  season  from  June  1  to  July  .'il.  At  the  entrance  to  Clii<;liagof  Harbor  is  the  only  known 
locality  at  Attu  where  these  flsh  resort.  The  natives  assert  that  the  coming  of  these  flsh  was 
coincident  with  the  disappearance  of  the  sea-lit)ii  HuiiuiopidH  Htolhri ;  and  those  natives  maintain 
that  the  flsh  drove  the  sea-liona  oft'.  Just  opposite  to  my  own  concluHJons,  for  I  think  the  flsh 
come  to  those  jdaces  where  they  will  be  least  persecuted  by  the  sea  li(nis. 

These  flsh  are  also  reported  to  be  abundant  at  Kiska  Island,  between  the  islands  of  Atkha  and 
Athakh.  Also  between  Uiu'ilga  and  Unalashka,  and  also  in  the  passes  between  some  of  the  Shu- 
magin  Islands.  I  saw  a  few  individuals  in  Captain's  Harbor,  Unalashka  Island,  in  the  early  part 
of  July,  1881.  This  is  the  flrst  instance  of  their  occurrence  in  that  locality.  Tliey  were  small  in 
size,  and  of  the  si/.e  which  constitutes  the  upper  stratum  as  spoken  of  in  r«-gaid  to  the  disposition 
of  the  flsh  on  the  spawning  grounds  of  Audia  Pass. 

.  This  flsh  (;ould  be  easily  taken  in  great  o:  uitities,  especially  at  Amlia  I'ass  aii«l  Attn.  Some 
writers  of  Alaskan  afi'airs  have  mentioned  exorbitant  prices  paid  for  a  barrel  of  salted  flsh  of  this 
kind.  They  can  be  prei>ared  at  a  cost  of  two  dollars  per  barrel  for  the  flsh  at  eith  r  Attu  or  Am- 
lia. The  cost  of  the  barrel  and  salt,  of  course,  is  to  be  added.  Only  the  necessary  sheds  for  pro- 
tecting the  barrels  from  the  weather  would  have  to  be  erected.  Native  help  <iould  be  procured  at 
a  cost  of  a  dollar  per  day  for  a  man,  and  flfty  to  seventy  Ave  cents  per  diiy  for  the  women,  who 
can  clean  the  flsh  as  expertly  as  the  men. 

Ere  many  years  these  flsh  will  command  a  highly  remunerative  |)riKe  to  those  who  will  engage 
in  the  enterprise. 

Nothing  has  been  done  by  either  trading  couq)any  in  the  matter  of  bringing  these  flsh  into 
a  market. 

In  the  beginning  of  this  article  I  gave  the  various  names  used  by  the  white  people  who  have 
become  acquainted  with  the  fish  only  on  reputation.  The  Knssian  speaking  ])eo]>lc  refer  to  them 
as  Soo  dnch  kc',  a  diminutive  form  of  Soo  duk,  meaning  a  sangre,  or  perch  pike.  The  natives  of 
Uualashka  and  Atkha  Islands  speak  of  them,  in  the  Aleutian  language,  as  Ta  mu't'.  ghes,  while 
the  Attu  people  call  them  Tti'v  loeen.  At  Atkha,  on  June  18, 1880,  I  had  several  sitecimens  brought 
to  me  for  purposes  of  description,  the  notes  of  which  are  as  follows: 

Male,  adult,  June  18,  1880: 

Dorsal  outline,  from  anterior  spine  of  dorsal  fln,  gradually  sloping  to  the  base  of  cau<lal ;  ante- 
rior to  the  dorsal  fln  the  outline  is  descending  for  two  fllths  its  length  to  end  of  snout,  though  having 
a  slight  upward  curve  directly  in  the  center;  anterior  to  the  boundary  of  this  ])rominence  the 
occipital  outline  begins,  and  continues  a  direct  slope  to  the  end  of  the  snout.  The  abdominal  out- 
line is  moderately  decurved ;  the  post-abdominal  line  is  nearly  straight  in  its  slight  ascent  to  the 
base  of  the  caudal  ray.  The  thoracic  and  gill  outline  is  gradually  ascending  to  the  base  of  the 
inter-maxillary  bones,  while  the  line  from  the  base  of  these  tothe  inentum  is  rat  her  abrupt,  ascending 
at  an  angle  of  forty-flve  degrees.  The  body  has  its  greatest  vertical  depth  at  the  base  of  the  four- 
teenth spine  of  the  dorsal  fln.  The  greatest  lateral  thickness  is  at  the  intersection  of  the  same  line 
at  a  right  angle,  gradually  becoming  thinner  as  it  a])proaches  the  base  of  the  anal  fln,  where  it 
preserves  a  uniform  thickness,  giving  great  strength  to  the  caudal  rays.  The  coloration  is  ex- 
tremely variable,  generally  dark  (light  in  some  8])ecimens),  olive  (nearly  approaching  black  in  some 
specimens)  on  the  dorsum  and  above  the  median  lateral  line;  below  this  line,  especially  on  the 
sides,  and  posterioi  to  the  vent,  are  five  bands,  or  bars,  the  three  anterior  bands  becoming  obscure 


(JONTItmUTrONH  TO  THK  NATURAIi  HISTORY  OK  ALAHKA. 


99 


on  th«>  nlxloiiuMi,  tlic  iiiili'iior  of  wliii'li  in  Ii>hh  <>vi<lont  tliaii  tlio  mm^oikI,  hut  in  iiit<Mi.iifl«Hi  in  out- 
Iiiu>  iiM  (lit-  Imnds  siirciril  |)iiNli-ri()i'l,v  to  tlu*  liiNt,  which  uiitiroly  eiicircleH  tlio  llNh.  Tlit>Hu  IiiuuIb 
vary  much  in  wiiltli  iiiiii  ilcpth  iit°(Hih)nirii)n.  (Tht*  luliilt  iniilPH  wliich  Hi8t  lurivc  hiivt*  thu  cohirs 
much  nuIxIiumI,  anil  not  until  the  hei^'it  of  tint  Npiiwniu(;  hoiihoii  do  they  iiMsiiini'  their  vivid 
colorH.)  Tlit'He  Imnd.s  are  of  tlic  ;;ontual  (■.oiiir  of  the  doiHum,  variabht  xhtuleH  of  olive.  Tiie  <H)lor 
between  tiie  hanilH  is  i^ohh^i  yeMow  to  leddiNh  orange  yellow,  ntraw  and  lemon  yellow,  and  each 
liavin^;  a  (loppeiy  relleetion,  making'  a  (Contrast  of  extreme  splendor. 

The  li};liter  colored  parts  are  evanesi-ent  to  a  great  de^^ree,  and  are  soon  faded  on  tliH  death  of 
the  HhIi.  They  then  turn  ilark  pliiinl)eus  and  gradually  fiMlu  toa  luHtorless  white;  numerous  white 
patches  then  ajipcar  on  vnrious  parts  of  the  body.  If  the  ttsh  is  soon  preserved  in  salt,  or  othur 
substance,  the  bands  of  color  do  not  entirely  disappear. 

The  head  is  lar^e,  stout;  bones  (Irmly  knitted  together;  nostril  small,  above  which  is  a  notice- 
able depression  in  the  nasal  bone. 

Mouth  medium  sized,  directed  slightly  obliijuely  upward  when  closed  and  nearly  circular  when 
opened  ;  lower  lip  mo<|crately  pendant,  upper  lip  thick  and  rolled  baitk.  The  teeth  are  small  ami 
weak.  Hye  laigc;  orbit  strong,  irregularly  oval,  longest  diameter  in  a  line  from  corner  of  mouth 
to  anterior  spine  of  dorsal.  The  upper  outliiu'  of  the  orbit  slopes  (»bli<pmly  in  front,  prcHenting  a 
peculiarly  foiined  contour,  b<>ing  four  lifllis  as  high  lut  long  and  one-fourth  the  length  of  the  head 
to  end  of  nasal  bone,  and  c(|ual  to  two  thirds  the  width  of  int«>rorbital  space,  and  om-  and  three- 
fourths  times  the  distance  of  antcricu'  edge  of  orbit  to  middle  of  nostril. 

OpercMilum  narrow  and  stiong,  waved  on  upper  edge,and  (Huu-avely  outlined;  lower  edge  mod- 
erately «h)ii  vex;  the  postcrioi-  side  of  operculum  is  irregular,  the  uppt'r  connu'of  which  is  above  the 
center  of  the  ]iostcrior  third  of  the  opercular  bone,  thus :  forming  a  subtriangle  in  outline. 

The  gill  ra,\s  arc  seven,  forming  a  rounded  outline  with  the  gill  covers. 

Dorsal  tin  UHxIeralely  curved,  attaining  greatest  height  at  eighth  ray  and  preserving  this 
height  to  the  eighteenth,  then  decur\  etl  to  the  twenty-third,  then  usceiuling  ti>  the  twenty-ninth, 
gradually  an^hing  to  the  thirty-sixth,  and  <le(!nrviug  to  the  forty  seventh  or  last. 

The  dorsal  rays  are  moderately  strong,  ami  arched  backward.  The  soft  membrane  is  (;onsi(l- 
erably  de])iesMMl  iii^tween  the  spines.  The  height  of  the  longestdorsal  spiin^  is  contained  (if  times 
in  therengti.  ot  the  dorsal  tin  and  equals  the  distau<;e  from  the  tirst  to  the  eighth  s]>ine  of  tliu  an- 
terior part  of  the  (in  and  the  last  ten  of  the  soft  niys.  The  third  soft  ray  is  equal  totwo-Hfthsthe 
height  of  the  eighth  spine. 

The  i)ectoraI  tin  has  a  roundeil  outliiu',  rather  stout,  contains  twenty-live  rays,  of  which  the 
sixth  to  thirteentli  are  of  the  same  'engtli.  The  longest  rays  are  two  and  one-fourth  times  the 
height  of  the  eighth  to  eighteenth  dorsal,  each  ray  terminnting  in  soft  membrane.  The  insertion 
of  the  pectoral  is  wide  ami  tlcshy,  equal  to  one  half  its  length. 

The  ventral  tins,  long  anil  weak,  contain  six  rays,  each  terminating  in  fllam  '  ,  the  third  ray 
forming  a  long  point  beliind  ;  the  base  is  eqmil  to  om^-fourth  the  length  of  longest  ray,  the  rays 
much  branching. 

The  anal  lin  contains  twenty  four  rays,  of  which  the  third  to  the  eleventh  are  the  longest, 
though  they  all  form  a  convex  outliiu» ;  the  penultimate  ray  is  ecpial  to  two-fifths  the  ItMigth  of  the 
anterior  ray. 

The  caudal  lin  is  notched  for  half  its  length,  the  edges  of  the  notch  waved  half  as  deej)  as  its 
length  at  nu'dan  line,  forming  a  deep  notched,  nearly  heart-shaped  caudal  tin.  The  scales  are 
small,  smooth,  disposed  in  four  rows  between  dorsal  flu  and  upper  lattmil  line;  eighteen  to  eleven 
rows  of  scales  between  fir.st  (ui)per)  and  second  lateral  lines,  which  extends  from  edge  of  operculum 
to  the  end  of  the  tail,  and  is  147  scales  in  length  ;  the  upper  lateral  line  contains  lilO  scales  from  tail 
to  bifurcation  (of  lateral  line)  on  the  dorsum.  The  point  of  bifurcation  of  upper  lateral  lino  on 
dorsum  is  eleven  scales  anterior  to  the  first  dorsal  spine;  the  prolongation  of  npijcr  lateral  line  at 
bifurcation  is  five  scales.  A  third  lateral  line  extends  from  just  In  front  of  the  lower  insertion  of  the 
pectoral  fin,  and  continues  between  the  abdomiinil  and  oectoral  to  even  with  the  end  of  the  pros- 
trate twelfth  ray  of  the  pectoral,  where  its  eiul  is  brought  down  and  continues  for  .VJ  scrales,  then 
interrupted  for  the  distance  of  the  length  of  the  i>ectoral  flii,  thrr)  contiinuHl  41  scales,  termiimting 
abruptly. 


100 


OONTRIHUTIONH  TO  THR  NATURAL  IlIHTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


A  fourth  laturid  liiiu  bo^iiit*  JiiHt  lKMu>iitli  Mie  in  ((ill  I'overH,  imihhch  l)otwe«)ii  thu  ttbdotiiiiml  tiiiN, 
ami  roiitaiim  4H  HciilfN;  It  then  hil'iirciitt^H  lU  li  linotM'hciith  half  tho  lotiRth  (»f  thu  vtnitral  tlii,  tlivn 
(liver|{VH  to  arch  omm'  thu  anim,  imHH«>H  a  NtraiKht  lino  of  tlvu  HuaieH  ahovu  tho  ami!  (In  t<»  torniin- 
ate  ttC  the  iiiMortion  of  tlio  int'urior  oiitidal  ruy,  and  contains  Ml  NcaiuH  from  itH  hifurcution  to 
cauilul  ray. 

The  number  of  latoral  linoH  varii'H,  lui  tbtex  also  thoir  relative  poHition  on  thu  Hido  of  the  flab; 
howuver,  the  nuinlter  of  hit)>nil  lincH  iH  never  Ichh  than  three,  thu  absent  one  Ihmu);  tiiu  Heiuuid  one  from 
above.  Thu  t;reiiter  lu-rcentap'  of  nialeN  liave  four  lateral  lineH,  while  Home  of  tlio  I'umaleH  have 
but  three. 

The  intUHtine  In  about  twice  the  length  of  the  HmIi  Iuhs  thu  tail. 

Thu  milt  of  the  male  is  waxy  white  and  of  tirm  (tonHmtencu  in  the  fruHh  HpecimeuR.  The 
femnluH  have  the  roe  dixposed  in  two  folds  about  six  incheH  long  and  an  inch  in  dianiutur,  ta|Ktrin(( 
at  both  cndH.  The  e^Ksof  the  female  when  matured  for  spawning  are  ab«mt  the  nixe  of  ttuunilior 
twelve  shot,  and  ha\e  a  dark  ^'rayish  spot  on  one  sidu  of  them. 

At  Attn  I  saw  a  small  specimun  of  this  species  on  October  1  Ith.  I  thouKht  it  t«)  Itu  a  Hsh  of  the 
prt^ceding  year,  as  it  was  about  two  inches  long  and  too  lar(;u  to  have  la'cn  of  that  year's  spawn, 
unle»8  they  grow  very  rapidly. 

UMBRIDiB. 

82.  Dai.lia  I'ECTOKALis  Huan.    (See  Via.  IX.)  * 

A  now  genus  has  been  established  for  this  Hsh  by  Dr.  T.  II.  Huan,*  of  the  V,  S.  Fish  Commission, 
and  dedi(;ated  to  Mr.  W.  II.  Dall,  of  thu  Fnited  States  Coast  Survey,  in  appreciation  of  hiH 
oontributions  to  the  zoology  of  Alaska. 

Thu  guiieric  characters  are  as  follows  :  Dam.i  A,  gen.  nov.  UmhrUhv  t 

Bo«ly  oblong,  covered  with  (tyidoid  scales  of  small  size  with  radiated  striat;  lateral  line  not 
conspicuous;  eye  smaller  than  Vmhrn;  cleft  of  tho  mouth  of  moderate  width.  Ventrals  inserted 
in  front  of  the  beginning  of  the  dtusal,  composed  of  three  rays.  Basis  of  anal  as  long  as,  or  longer 
than,  that  of  dorsal.  Caudal  tin  rounded  and  many  rayed.  Villiforni  teeth  on  thu  intermaxillaries, 
tho  mandible,  tho  vomer,  and  the  palatines.     Pectoral  rounded  and  many-rayed. 

Dallia  pectohalis,  sp.  uov.,  Bean. 

B.  VII-VIII;  I),  12-14;  A.  14-16;   V.  .3;  P.  33-36;  C.  30-33. 

The  height  of  the  body  is  contained  four  to  four  and  one-half  times  in  its  length  without 
caudal;  length  of  head  four  and  one  fourth  to  four  and  one  half  times.  Thu  uye  is  onesevunth  to 
ouu-sixth  as  large  as  the  head.  The  pectoral  is  onulialf  as  long  as  the  head  to  end  of  upper  jaw, 
the  ventrals  one-third  as  long.  The  origin  of  the  dorsal  is  twice  as  far  from  the  end  of  the 
snout  as  from  the  origin  of  the  middle  caudal  rays.  Thu  longest  dorsal  rays  are  a  little  more 
than  half  the  ii>iigth  of  the  beutl.  The  anal  begins  almost  directly  under  the  origin  of  the  dorsal 
and  has  nearly  the  same  extent;  its  longest  rays  equal  or  slightly  exceed  the  longest  dorsal  rays. 
The  ventrals  originate  in  advance  of  the  dorsal,  and  can  be  made  to  reach  to  or  slightly  beyond 
the  origin  of  the  anal.  The  vent  is  immediately  in  front  of  the  beginning  of  the  anal.  About  77 
scales  in  lateral  line ;  eleven  rows  of  scales  between  the  dorsal  and  the  lateral  line,  and  eleven 
rows  between  the  lateral  line  and  the  anal. 

Color. — Dusky  brown  mottled  with  whitish,  all  the  tins  similarly  colored,  the  dusky  spots  some- 
times becoming  confluent  on  the  caudal  and  simulating  bands;  belly  mainly  whitish,  but  in  some 
Bpecimens  thitikly  covered  with  small  dusky  spots. 

LIST   OF   SI'K('1MKN». 

S34i>6  a-g.  (collector's  niinibcr,  14H0)  7  speciuieiiH.   Saint  Michaol's,  Alaska,  February,  1S77.    L.  M.  Turner. 
23498  a.  D.  13 ;  A.  l(i ;  V.  3  |  V.  IMi ;  ('.  33 ;  B.  8.     Longth  205""". 

•The  description,  as  gl  vin  above,  tofretlier  with  the  ray  foruiiila-,  was  taken  from  Proceedings  of  the  U.  .S.  National 
Musenm,  volutno  3,  paj^en  3.')8-t),  of  Descriptions  of  some  genero  and  species  of  Alaskan  fishes,  by  Dr.  Tarloton  H. 
Beau, 


t'uDtrlb.  Ntt.  UUl.  Alaakt.— Tiiruci. 


PbATB  9. 


f   I 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


101 


•J:M<J8  h.  V.  l;( ;  A.  14  ;  V.  :i ;  IV  lilt ;  ('.  lil  ;  B.  '-(>.      LoiiKlli  8<HM">". 
2H4i»8<'.  1).  14;  A.  Ifi;   V.lt;  IMW;  (Mil;  11.8.      Lt>ii({lh  IHO""". 
•JIUUHrf.  0.14;  A.  14  :  V.ll;  1'.  1111 ;  ("..llll :  11.7-^.      I-riigtli  1H4""". 
•Jll4!)8f.  I).  Ill;  A.  14;  V.ll;  I'.lir. ;  l".  110  ;   II. H.      l,i>iij!tli  17r>""". 
•i:U<Mf.  D.14;  A.14;  V.ll;  I'.li:.;  (Mil);  H.8.     Lciigtli  17(1""". 
•JIU'.W  <;.  I).  Ill;  A.14:  V.'.l;  IMIT. ;  CMU;  H.  8.     LfiiKtIi  107""". 

Tliis  H|H'ci»>s  is  niolmbly  tlio  most  ivl)un(]:int  of  all  tlu'  (Islie.s  wliiidi  o(Tur  in  tlio  fresh  i»iul 
bnickisli  waters  of  tlio  iKUtliorii  part  of  Alaska.  It  Is  known  lo  tlie  whites  as  "  Black-flsh,"  to  the 
Russian  speakiiifr  populiition  as  "Ciiornia  Reeba,"  iind  to  Hie  Eskimo  its  K  mdnji  fik." 

It  is  foiiml  in  all  tiie  siniill  streams  of  tho  low  {^roumls,  in  the  wet  morasses  and  sphajjnuin- 
coverod  areas,  whieh  are  soaked  with  water  and  whieh  at  times  seem  to  contain  but  snflicient  water 
to  more  than  moisten  the  skin  of  the  fish.  In  the  low  <jroiinds  or  tundra  iire  iniiny,  countless 
tiiousands,  small  i)0!uls  of  very  sli<;lit  depth,  conneeted  with  eacli  other  by  small  streams  of 
variable  width,  of  few  feet  to  tiiose  so  nari'ow  iis  t<)  be  hidden  by  the  overhippiufj  sedges  or  spliaj^nnni 
moss.  Tlie.se  smaller  streiims  are  siiid  to  have  been  made  by  the  ninskrats  and  mink,  whieh  travel 
from  i»ond  to  pond  in  .search  of  food.  Tliese  narrower  outlets  of  tne  ponds  are  at  cei  tain  seasons  so 
full  of  these  tish  that  they  eoiiii)letely  block  them  up.  The  soft,  yieldinj;  sphii^iinn:  moss  above 
is  pushed  aside,  and  under  it  these  fish  Iind  a  convenient  retrciit.  Here  the  tish  are  partially 
protected  from  tiie  jiicjit  cold  of  winter  by  the  eoverinii  of  mo.ss  and  {jrass.  In  such  situations 
they  collect  in  sncli  numbers  that  (iffures  fail  to  express  iin  ;ide(|uate  idea  of  their  numbers. 
They  are  to  be  ineiisnieil  by  the  yard.  Tiieir  nmss  is  dee[)  iiccording  the  luiture  of  the  retreat. 
If  it  is  a  pond  overgrown  with  sedges  and  mosses  which  by  their  non  conductivity  of  heat 
al',>W8  only  a  slight  depth  to  be  thawed  out  in  the  short  Arctic  summer,  the  (i.sh  mass  will 
completely  fill  it  up.  Tlie  natives  rt'piiir  to  the  phices,  which  are  known  to  be  the  refuge  of 
these  ttsh,;ind  set  ii  small  triip  constructed  after  tln^  following  manner:  A  number  of  small  spliiit.s 
of  spruce  wood  are  carefully  bound  togetiier  so  ;is  to  in;ike  ii  c,oni(!alforined  weir  some  eight  feet 
in  length,  the  smaller  end  of  wliich  is  opened  about  two  to  tiire<>  iiii^hes.  Tliis  communicates  with 
a  large  basket-shaped  tr;ip,  wliich  is  so  placetl  that  when  the  lish  enter  the  small  orifice  next  the 
trap  they  will  scarcely  find  it  by  which  to  make  their  exit.  The  larger  end  of  the  funnel  is  ten  to 
eighteen  inches  in  diameter  and  set  with  the  mouth  toward  thedireciion  from  which  the  mass  of  tish 
is  moving.  The  fish  push  on  until  the  basket  is  filled,  their  number  prevent  those  within  from 
moving  outward  until  the  whoh>  ti:ip  is  a  mass  of  living  fish.  The  natives  remove  the  basket  every 
day  or  two  to  relieve  the  pressure  on  it  tiiid  to  8Ui>ply  their  I'wn  wants  and  those  of  their  dogs. 
Nearly  every  head  of  ii  family  has  a  trap,  and  during  the  greater  i)art  of  tht^  yesir,  from  May  to 
December,  tons  and  to. is  of  these  fish  are  daily  removed.  They  form  the  ])rincipal  food  of  the 
natives  living  between  the  Yukon  Deltii  ;ind  the  Kiiskokvim  Riverand  as  far  interior  as  the  bases 
of  the  higher  hills.  North  of  the  \  iikon  Delta  they  are  iilso  iibundiuit,  esiiei'ially  cui  the  sphagnum- 
covered  arciis  back  of  Kollilik  and  I'iUmiktiilik.  The  natives  sell  many  of  these  tish  in  biiskets 
(they  are  sold  by  tlu-  baskclfiil),  a  few  cents  paying  for  about  three  fourths  of  a  bushel.  When 
taken  from  the  trai)s  tlu^  tish  arcimmcdialely  put  into  tliese  baskets  and  taken  to  the  village,  where 
the  baskets  of  fish  sue  jil  iced  on  st:tges,  nr  caches,  out  of  the  way  of  the  dogs.  Here  the  tish  iire 
exposed  to  the  severe  tcini>cr;\lui'i' und  cold  winds.  The  mass  of  fish  in  eiuih  basket  is  frozen  in  a 
few  minutes;  and  when  reiinircd  to  liikc.tlieni  out  they  have  to  be  choitped  out  with  an  a.v  «)r 
beaten  with  a  club  to  divide  then  iiili>  i)ieces  of  suHicientsize  to  be  fed  to  the  dogs,  or  lait  into  the 
pot  to  boil. 

The  vitality  of  thes(>  lish  is  aslonishiug.  They  will  reimiin  in  those  grass-b;iskets  for  weeks,  and 
when  brought  into  the  housi\  and  tli.iwed  out  they  will  be  as  lively  as  ever.  The  pieces  which  are 
thrown  to  the  ravenous  dogs  arc  eagcly  swallowed  ;  the  animal  heat  of  the  dog's  stoimuth  thaws 
the  fish  out,  wIumcui>ou  its  movement  i  sotni  cause  the  dog  to  vomit  it  up  ;ilive.  This  1  have  kccii, 
but  have  heard  some  even  imu'c  wonderful  stories  of  this  fish. 

The  food  of  these  lish  hiis  ahviiys  been  a  matter  of  wonder  to  me,  considering  the  number  of 
fish  to  be  supplied  .n  the  scanty  waters  where  they  abound. 

The  contents  if  several  stoniiichs  were  examined  and  found  to  contain  only  a  nni.ss  of  uiulis- 
tinguisliublo  earthy  matter,  vegetaltle  I'ragment.s,  and  what  a|tpeared  to  be  the  undigested  portions 


102 


CONSRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


of  8kiu8  of  small  worms  which  frequent  the  ponds  and  low  grounds.  I  was  unable  to  save  any 
sperimens  of  worms,  supposed  to  be  larvie  of  some  kind,  as  the  alcohol  in  which  they  were  placed 
reduced  them  to  an  unrecognizable  condition. 

The  spawning  season  is  in  June  and  July,  or  as  soon  as  tiie  lagoons  thaw  out  sufficiently.  The 
eggs  are  <leposited  in  the  vegetable  slime  at  the  bottoms  of  the  shallow  ponds. 

MICROSTOMIBA. 

83.  OsMERUS  rsNTEX  Steiudachner.    (See  Fig.  X.) 

The  smelt  arrives  sparingly  at  Saint  Michael's  about  the  Ist  of  June.  The  ttrst  appearance  of 
tlie  hsh  is  generally  known  from  its  being  caught  with  otiiers  in  small  shore-seines  or  else  on  a 
hook  set  for  otl.er  ttsh ;  though  they  rarely  bite  at  the  hook  in  tliose  waters.  By  the  middle  of 
June  the  tish  have  become  abundant.  They  appear  to  come  from  Ihe  southwest,  and  arrive  in 
small  schools  at  the  beginning  of  their  a))proauh  to  the  shore,  and  later  come  in  schools  of  several 
yards  wide  and  many  rods  in  length.  They  swim  along  the  shore,  seeking  places  to  spawn.  The 
spawning  setison  begins  in  the  latter  part  of  June  and  continues  until  the  middle  of  July.  The 
eggs  are  deposited  among  the  sea- weeds,  which  grow  Just  below  tlu!  Hiirface  of  the  lowest  tides. 
They  disappear  by  the  last  of  July. 

The  Eskimo  catch  great  quantities  of  these  fish  and  dry  thorn  in  the  air.  The  lish  are  gener- 
ally obtained  by  means  of  a  short  seine  about  twice  or  three  times  as  long  as  wide.  The  tsh  are 
then  drawn  on  shore,  where  they  remain  in  heaps  until  the  women  take  the  entrails  out  by  a  dex 
trous  pinch  of  the  thumb  and  forefinger,  which  tears  apart  the  liesh  .  I'tween  the  gills  and  belly. 
The  foreflnger  is  then  run  inside  the  flsh  and  the  belly  ripped  open,  which  same  movement  takes 
out  the  offal.  The  women  in  the  fall  have  prepared  great  quantities  of  grass  blades,  which  are 
twisted  into  a  thin  rope,  which  is  run  through  the  gills  and  out  the  mouth  of  the  tish,  or  else  the 
strands  of  the  rope  are  twisted  around  the  lish's  head  as  the  rope  is  made.  These  strings  of  flsh 
are  then  hung  on  poles  in  the  open  air.  After  having  dried  for  a  sutlicient  time  the  flsh  are  then 
stored  in  the  caches. 

When  dried  these  fish  are  not  bad  eating,  as  there  is  sufficient  oil  in  them  to  prevent  their 
drying  too  hard,  and  jet  not  enough  to  become  too  rancid. 

The  Eskimo  natne  of  these  fish  is  Ithl  kwiig  nuk. 

I  have  not  seen  this  species  among  the  Aleutian  Islai  ds,  though  it  doubtless  occurs  there. 

85.  Mallotus  viLLOsi's  (?i'<ller)  Cuv. 

This  species  ranges  over  the  en  tire  coast  line  of  Bering  Hea.  On  the  American  side  they  are  most 
abundant  south  of  latitude  60°;  and,  above  that  are  known  to  me  only  from  a  few  specimens  seen 
in  the  dridl  state  with  another  fish,  HjipomenuH  olidus. 

Among  the  Aleutian  islands  these  fish  abound  in  incredible  numbers. 

At  Atkha  Island  in  1870  I  had  an  opportunity  to  observe  these  tish  as  they  came  in  to  the  sandy 
beach  of  Nazan  Hay  to  spawn.  The  Ulst  of  July  of  that  year  a  boy  brought  a  basket  of  these  flsh 
and  asked  me  to  buy  them.  I  inquired  where  he  had  obtained  them.  He  rei)lied  that  they  were 
abundant  along  the  sandy  beach  not  far  from  the  village.  I  imnu'diately  '  ent  to  the  place  and 
found  that  the  waves  of  the  preceding  day  had  thrown  millions  of  these  fish  on  the  beach.  The 
number  was  increasing  every  time  a  wave  was  broken  on  the  beach.  The  fish  come  to  the  sandy 
beach  to  spawn,  and  when  a  high  wave  runs  on  the  sandy  fiat  the  fish  cast  their  spawn  at  that 
time.  The  spawn  is  covered  with  the  sand,  which  the  retreating  wave  washes  back  with  it.  The 
dead  tish  were  so  thick  on  the  beach  that  it  was  imi)ossible  to  walk  without  ste[)ping  on  hundreds 
of  them.  They  could  be  gathered  with  a  shovel,  they  laid  so  Mii'-Jy.  The  spawn  is  very  snail, 
the  eggs  not  larger  than  the  size  of  half  a  pin-head,  an<l  is  exte  ided  in  small  masses,  which  are  held 
together  by  a  viscid  mass  which  is  ejected  at  the  ;,arae  time.  If  the  sand  does  not  cover  it  in- 
stantly the  mass  is  soon  nothing  but  a  small  rounded  ball  about  a  cjuarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
of  fine  sand  held  together  by  the  egg  mass.  This  is  rolled  over  and  over  by  each  wave  until  it  is 
but  little  injured  by  the  action  of  the  waves. 

The  eggs  which  are  hidden  by  the  sand  soon  show  signs  of  life,  usually  about  thirty  days  after 
de[)osit.    The  be.voh  then  becomes  a  (puvering  mass  of  eggs  and  sand.    As  soon  as  the  eggs  are 


Ountiib.  Nttt.  llist.  Aluitku.— Tuiiiir. 


PLATE  10. 


u 

H 
Z 
Cd 
Q 

CO 

D 
0! 
(d 
S 

09 
O 


Ccmtllb.  Nut.  IIl«t.  Alaskii.— Tiiiiifr. 


PLATE   11. 


O 
O 

Z 

O 
O 

u 

K 
O 
O 


I  ( 


II       r 


I         I 


KlMj 


Contrili.  Nat.  Hist.  AlnnkB— TiiiinT. 


PLATB  la. 


C^' 


z 
u 

u 
< 
S 

OT 

D 
Q 
O 

z 

u 


I        I 


i.«j,j 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


103 


li»t«ke<l  th«  fry  arc  wiiHlied  bacK  into  the  sea  by  tho  waves.  The  nativen  aHHert  that  tliose  flsh 
deposit  tlieir  Hpawn  only  in  the  phices  against  whicli  tlie  waves  will  wash  when  the  tish-fry  are 
reatly  to  be  hatchtul. 

The  natives  prepare  great  qnanfitles  of  these  fish  by  drying  tliein  in  the  air.  They  are  not 
cleaned ;  a  blade  of  strong  grass  is  twisted  betwe<  a  the  gills  and  neck,  which  makes  a  rope  of  flsh. 
These  ropes  will  sometimes  be  many  yards  in  length. 

At  Attn  these  Hsh  are  said  to  be  very  abundant  every  third  year.  This  was  .ilso  stated  to  be 
a  fact  at  Atkha.  One  thing  is  certain  that  they  were  very  plentiful  at  Atkha  in  187!),  and  not  in 
1880  or  'HI,  and  that  they  were  not  at  Attu  in  1880,  and  were  reiwrted  to  have  been  abundant  in 
1878. 

The  Oulls,  Terns,  Sea-lions,  Killer  whales  and  Mair-seals  have  a  great  liking  for  these  little 
flsh.    Thousands  of  (Hulls  and  Terns  were  hovering  over  the  schools  of  these  flsh  at  Atkha  in  187!>. 

At  Unalashka  Island  these  flsh  are  said  to  be  common  at  times,  but  I  could  get  no  deflnitxi  in- 
formation con(!erning  them.    The  Hus.sian-.si)eaking  people  call  them  "  Ko'  rush  Av." 

I  know  of  no  flsh  which  has  a  sweeter  taste  tliiin  this  specnes.  When  fried  to  a  rich  brown  color 
they  are  excellent.    The  head  is  nil  tliat  is  necessary  to  be  removed,  as  the  entrails  cojitain  nothing. 

80.  Hyi'omesus  ounus  (I'all.)  Gill. 
This  little  flsh  abounds  at  Saint  Michael's  as  soon  as  the  shore  ice  is  lifted  sufllcieutly  to  allow 
them  to  pass  uiuler  and  tliroiigli  Hie  little  streams  which,  the  rapiillyinelting  snow  filling  uj)  the 
fresh  water  ponds  and  lakes,  have  made  their  way  through  the  sands  to  the  sea.  These  flsh  ascend 
to  the  lakes  by  these  small  streams.  So  many  are  hurried  onward  by  the  necessity  of  soon  casting 
their  spawn  in  the  lakes  tliat  they  choke  up  the  streams  which  lead  into  them.  The  ponds  are  tVe- 
qutly  verynear  the  sea  level,  and  only  separated  from  the  sea  by  the  barrier  of  sand  thrown  up  by  the 
snrf,  and  at  extreme  high  tides  and  waves  are  brackish.  Into  these,  great  quantities  of  drift  wood  is 
thrown.  These  ponds  seem  to  be  jireferred  by  these  fishes.  In  one  large  pond,  of  nearly  lialfan 
acre  in  extent,  a  few  miles  from  Saint  Michael's,  these  flsh  were  found  in  incnMlible  numbers.  The 
date  was  Maj'  20,  1877,  by  whicli  tiiiie  they  were  in  such  numbers  that  the  natives  procured 
thousands  of  them  by  thrusting  a  stick  into  the  water  and  throwing  them  out  with  it.  A  small 
dip  net  was  also  used,  which  brought  out  two  or  three  gallons  at  a  time.  When  fried  these  fish 
possess  a  sweetish  taste,  and  are  excellent  eating.  The  natives  at  Saint  Michael's  dry  these  flsh 
on  strings  of  grass.     I  did  not  have  time  to  investigate  their  spawning  habits. 


COREOONIDiE. 

75  (of  Ai)|iendix).  Stknodus  maokenzii  Richardson.  (See  Fig.  XII.) 
This  large  Whiteflsh  oc(!urs  plentifully  throughout  the  Yukon  River  and  tributaries.  It  attains 
a  great  size,  weighing  sixty  pounds,  and  reported  to  be  of  greater  weight,  and  is  a  valual)le  food 
fish.  Numbers  are  procured  at  the  Yukon  Delta  in  the  winter  by  cutting  through  the  ice  ami  set- 
ting wicker-traps  for  them.  The  natives  bring  quantities  of  these  flsh  to  Saint  Michael's  to  sell. 
When  roasted  the  flesh  is  excellent.  The  specimens  seen  by  me  were  of  such  condition  and  size 
that  I  could  not  [ireserve  them. 

The  Russian  name  of  this  species  is  Nrhna.  The  Eskimo  name  is  Chi'.  This  species  is  distin- 
guishable by  the  presence  of  weak  teeth,  strongly  projecting  lower  jaw,  pale  plumbeous  dorsum  and 
upper  sides,  becoming  silvery  white  below. 

85).  OoRKGONUs  LAUBETT.v:  Heau. 
This  species  is  (juite  small,  rarely  over  fifteen  inches  in  length.  The  dorsal  and  abdominal 
outlines  are  but  little  curved ;  the  head  is  small,  lower  Jaw  projecting  but  slightly.  This  fish  in 
the  Yukon  River  is  poor  in  quality  of  flesh  and  bony,  it  being  there  considered  the  jioorest  of  all 
the  Whiteflsh.  It  is  most  abundant  at  Nulato,  on  the  Yukon  River.  Dr.  T.  H.  Bean,  of  the  U.  S. 
Fish  CommiRsion,  informs  me  that  this  species  occurs  plentifully  in  the  neighborhood  of  Bering 
Strait  and  that  the  fish  from  that  locality  are  excellent  eating.    It  is  a  well-kuowu  fact  throughout 


I  ■ 


104 


OONTBIBUTIONa  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTOUY  OF  ALASKA. 


Aln8ka  tliiit  lotinlitieti  of  but  short  (liHtaii<;«H  ii])art  make  Ki'L*>^tv'*t  ilitfiironccR  in  the  iinality  of  the 
Menh  of  varioiiN  kiiulN  nf  tlali. 

The  UuHoiaii  name  of  tliiH  BpocieH  iH  Nulafovnky  cigd. 

JM).  CoREGONUS  MBRCKti  (iiinther  (var.  T). 

ThiH  HpecieH  prefers  the  larger  ti<Ie  lagoons  ami  streaniH  wliidi  are  nliglitly  brackish  and  con- 
tain muddy  water.  This  tlsli  is  abundant  in  September  to  tlie  middle  of  December.  The  tiesh  ia 
very  fine  and  fat.  It  is  at  tliat  time  <|uite  abundant.  The  natives  set  nets  acrosN  the  tide  wattr 
streams  when  the  tide  is  high,  and  as  it  recedes  the  tlsli  retire  toward  tiie  bays  and  are  caught  by 
the  obstructing  net. 

This  species  is  the  Mornkoi  cigd  of  the  Itussians. 

The  coloration  is  darker  than  in  the  other  species.  Tiie  head  is  well  formed  and  has  n  slightly 
projecting  lower  jaw.  The  entire  flsh  is  rarely  over  ten  inches  in  length,  and  weighs  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  ])ound. 

91.  CouEUONUS  cn'i'EiFORMis  (MitchiU)  Milner. 

This  species  is  the  largest  of  the  genus ;  it  often  attains  a  weight  of  over  thirty  ])oundH.  It  is 
very  abnndant  in  Noveml>er  to  January  in  the  Lower  Yukon.  It  is  less  abundant  in  summer.  It 
spawns  in  September  and  October.  The  flesh  is  excellent  when  roasted.  Many  of  these  flsli  are 
caught  in  traps  set  in  the  ice,  after  the  middle  of  November. 

The  color  is  somewhat,  lighter  than  Stenodun;  the  lower  jaw  is  shorter  than  the  np,)eri  the 
scales  large,  as  are  also  the  flns.  The  head  is  moderate,  seeming  small  on  account  of  the  stricture 
at  the  nape;  the  teeth  small  and  deciduous. 

This  species  is  the  Malsiin  of  the  Russians,  and  Clif  of  the  Eskimo. 

93.  CoREOONUS  (jUADRiLATEBAi.is  Uicliardson. 

Thisspecies  is  quite  small,  rarely  attaininga  greater  length  than  fourteen  inches.  It  is  extremely 
aitundant  at  the  mouth  of  the  Yukon  in  the  early  winter  months,  and  has  a  range  throughout  the 
entire  river,  as  young  of  thisHj)ecies  about  four  inches  in  length  ware  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon  in 
the  early  part  of  .lune,  1877.  They  were  the  fish  of  the  precieding  winter.  This  8i»ecies  is  not  very 
delicate  eating.  The  form  is  peculiar,  as  its  name  indicates.  The  head  is  small  and  attenuated, 
the  lower  jaw  shorter  than  the  upper.    This  si>ecies  is  called  Knlg  by  the  Ifussians. 

There  are  two  other  well-marked  species  of  Cnregoni  in  the  Yukon  district.  I  did  not  have  the 
opportunity  to  procure  specimens. 

Thellussians  refertooneof  thenias  Qorhata,  signifying /it()«/>w/,  orarclied  back.  I  am  notcertain 
to  which  sjiecies  this  should  be  referred.  Several  individuals  of  this  species  came  to  my  notice, 
but  were  obtained  in  January  at  Kothlik,  near  the  Yukon  Delta,  and  brought  to  Saint  Michael's  on 
the  sled  with  other  lish.  The  tins  were  so  broken  by  being  frozen  that  the  spe<Mmens  were  worth- 
less. The  second  species  may  be  the  one  referred  to  as  C.  kcnnicottii*  by  Mr.  Milner.  Not  having 
specimens  of  my  own  collecting,  I  am  not  able  to  state  positively  that  this  is  the  species,  but  it  is 
more  than  probable,  as  Mr.  W.  II.  Dall  collect«d  it  at  Nulato,  on  the  Yukon,  March  27,  1867.f 

SALMONDIiE. 

95.  SAI.VEL1NUS  MAXIMA  (Walb.)  Jordan  and  Gilbert. 

The  Salmon-trout  is  a  resident  of  the  smaller  streams  of  the  mainland  and  islands.     It  comi  s 

from  the  sea  in  September  in  great  numbers  into  the  rivers  emptying  into  Norton  Sound.     In  the 

latter  part  of  October  the  natives  put  down  wicker-traps  and  catch  great  quantities  of  these  fish. 

They  are  brought  to  Saint  Michael's  by  the  sled-load  and  sold.    In  the  month  of  iTuly  they  descend 


*A  flf(iiro  (No.  XI)  of  this  well-iiiarkcd  HpccioH  is  inserted  iu  order  to  show  the  characters  of  it.  SpecimeuH, 
now  in  the  collection  of  tlia  U.  8.  Nut.  Mysenni,  were  procured  at  N'nlato,  Aliiska,  by  \V.  H.  Dnll ;  and,  from  thebe 
the  drawing  whs  prepared. 

tThe  occurrence  of  the  Grayling  in  those  <vater8  is  of  suHlcient  importance  to  warrant  the  insertion  of  a  figure 
of  Thymallub  sig.nifer  (Rich.)  Cnv.  &  Val.  Specimens  were  secared  by  H.  M.  Bannister  at  St.  Michael's,  and  by 
W.  H.  DaU  »t  NaUto.    (See  Fig.  XIU.) 


CoDtrib,  Nat.  ilUt.  ^lliiiiku.— Tiinivr. 


PLATE  13. 


)t  have  the 


u 

z 
o 


D 
< 

> 

X 
H 


i  i 


„  i;ai-»—iit«i'*m 


n     I 


(•ONTItlHUTIONH  TO  TIIH  NATUKAI,  niSTOl' V  Ol"  AI-ASKA. 


106 


the  Htrt'iiniH  iiikI  ii-iiuiiii  in  tli«^  Ht>ti  until  H«>pt<Mnl)i>r.  The  iiuirt*  nortli«<iii  lociilitit'H  linvi*  tlii>  iHr^er 
IndivitliiiilH,  tlioNO  iiiiioii);  tli(>  Alciitiiin  IsIiiiiiIh  hfin^  hiiiiiIIii'  tlian  tlioMc  hci'ii  at  Haiiit  Mifliikol'H, 
uiitl  wliicli  ail'  of  lli<>  HaiiH*  hI/.i-  iiikI  itolor  hh  tliimo.  si><  ii  at  Karliik,  on  KailiaU  Islaml.  At  tliiH  phteu 
((rt'at  iiiiinlx'i'N  arc  Nciiicil  t'niiii  the  rivtT  and  Haltt><l  tor  iiiaikot  in  8aii  l''rani-iNi-o.  Tli«<  iiv«*riiK(4 
wri^lit  of  tli()Ni>  |ir(>|iai'*'il  lor  inaiUfl  i^  near  two  ami  a  halt'  |hmiimIn. 

The  nativi'M  of  the  Alt'utlan  iNlanils  niako  but  litllt>  nsr  ol'  tht'Nt'  lUh,  a^  llic,\  arc  takiMi  numb 
aliiiniliinlly  ilurinKth*'  Hcanon  wIumi  tho  Niilniou  iirc  pK'ntiliil. 

I  am  not  prcpaii'il  to  »\  'to  wlu'thiM-  tlitM»<  is  any  Mporial  <lill't'i'ftn(!i'  or  not  tx'twi'iMi  th«  llsh  Coiinil 
ill  tlif  .Niiiall  HtrcaiDN  of  the  Alfiitfan  IslandH  and  tiloH(>  ri't't'i'i'fd  to  nndrr  llii.s  articit'.  Ah  the 
brook  IImIi  of  thi^  islands  liavi^  not  the  rod  spots  oi.  the  Hi<!<>N  and  have  n(>V)>r  been  seen  to  altiiin 
siieli  si/,e  as  that  of  the  spe(Mes  lit  the  heatl  of  tiii't  artiele,  they  will  be  Ireatiil  of  as  a  sepi:rate 
species  until  known  to  be  otherwise.  They  have  l>;il'its  whieli  are  essentially  dilVerent  in  that  they 
seldom  K<>to  the  sea  for  more  than  six  "eeks  of  time  in  September  and  Oelolier,  and  thai  th(\v  di^ 
out  the  banks  wh(>re  the  current  is  delleeted  from  a  point  above,  and  undi>r  Ihe.st!  banks  (;oll(ii;t 
ill  Ki'<'>il  nninb(*i'H.  They  are  poor  und  lean  in  tlit^  spring,  sind  not  until  late  in  August  do  tliey 
become  fat.  They  .ire  in  April  and  May  rcdiuu'd  to  mere  skeletons  in  some  hxMlities.  They  are 
abundant  at  ['nalashka,  Atklni,  and  Attn.  They  have  black  spots  on  the  siiles,  and  the  (general 
wilor  is  very  dark.  .Mfer  the  hu'Ke  Wsli  have  ivtiirned  from  the  sea  they  are  lighter  in  viAor  und 
liuve  white  e(U'.cs  to  the  liim. 

A  lack  of  preserving  material  prevented  me  from  procuring  H|)eciinens  ol  Ihesc  lish.  They  are 
referred  to  liy  tht^  while  people  as  Itrook-trout  in  (Mtntradistinction  to  the  Salmon  trout  as  mttant 
by  iStilnliniis  iikiIiiki.  During  the  late  summer  the  Itrooktroiit  are  iMught  by  nu-an.s  of  the  tly,  or, 
in  lieu  of  that,  a  piece  of  sali.ion,  <m'  the  roe  of  tiie  salmon,  is  good  bait.  This  same  species  ih 
reported  to  be  abundant  on  Nnnivak  Island,  and  ulsu  on  Unga  Island.  It  donliiies.s  o(;enrs  in  all 
the  mountain  streams  south  of  latitude  &2°  N. 

Tlie  Itussian  name  of  this  speckles  is  liolet:;.  • 

!)!).  (>N(!oiMiVN(iiii'S  ciioi'idiiA  (Walb.)  .lurdan  ami  (iilbert. 
This  species  attains  the  largest  size  of  any  of  its  genus,  weighing  from  sixty  to  oin^  hundred 
poHinds.  S(tnn^  individuals  have  been  taken  which  were  said  to  have  weighed  (uie  iiundred  and 
forty  pounds.  The  range  of  this  species  in  Alaska  is  from  Sitkiv  to  liering  Strait,  and  it  is  found 
in  all  the  considerable  streams  of  the  mainlanil.  It  arrives  at  the  mouth  of  the  riveis  south  of  the 
peninsula  of  .Miaska  in  tht!  month  of  May  or  early  part  of  .lune.  In  tliose  rivers  n<»rtli  of  the  pe- 
ninsula it  arrives  according  to  the  season,  being  in  the  Nushagak  Itiver  rarely  later  tlmn  the  Hth 
of  June  and  a  few  days  later  in  the  Knskokoim  Kiver.  At  the  Vukoii  Mella  they  arrive  about 
the  lOtli  to  the  L'ttlli  of , lune,  a  few  days  earlier  or  later,  depending  on  the  ice  in  the  river  break- 
ing up,  generally  occurring  about  that  time  before'  it  is  removed  from  the  delta.  The  lish  remain 
tiutside  for  .several  days  before  entering  the  fresh  water  so  as  to  accustom  themselves  to  the  change 
of  water.  The  larger  lish  usually  enter  first.  They  are  the  healthier  and  s|  rouges!  Ilsli  which  have 
been  able  to  nnike  IhtMr  way  in  advance  of  the  others.  By  the  1st  of  .Inly  they  have  ascended 
about  401)  mih^s  of  the  Yukon  and  by  the  middle  of  tln^  month  are  u  thousand  miles  from  its  mouth. 
The  stronger  lish  ascend  the  river  for  several  hundred  miles  beyond  that  point.  The  natives,  Es- 
kimo and  Indians,  prepare  immense  (|uantities  of  these  lish  for  Inture  use.  'i'lie  lish  are  caught  in 
varioii.s  ways.  Tlu!  ICskimo  usually  set  nets  ofshort  dimensions,  fastened  at  oiu'  end  to  the  shore  oft'a 
point  of  rocks,  the  other  end  let  into  water  of  one  to  two  tathomsdeep.  Floats  of  variously  shaped 
pieces  of  wood  i)revent  the  net  from  siidiing  too  deep  and  <lragging  on  the  bottom  against  the  jagged 
rocks.  The  nets  are  set  in  the  evening  as  the  tish  a|)|>roach  the  shore  during  the  late  hours  of  the 
day  and  early  hours  of  the  morning,  or  between  10  p.  in.  and  r).a.m.  The  meshes  of  the  net  are  made 
so  that  when  slretched  out  diagonally  they  will  be  live  to  nine  inches  across.  The  tish  in  attempt- 
ing to  jiass  through  are  caught  by  the  gills,  hence  cannot  i)ass  through  or  go  backward.  Early  in 
the  morning  the  men  visit  the  net  and  secure  the  ti.sh  by  tlrst  drawing  them  to  the  surface  and  strik- 
ing them  over  the  head  w  ith  a  club.  Several  hundred  pounds  are  fre(]nently  caught  in  a  single  set 
gill-net  of  that  description.  The  natives  of  the  rivers  use  the  same  kind  of  lu'ts,  and  usually  take 
these  nets  in  their  single  canoes  and  descend  the  stream.  The  net  is  thrown  overboard ;  and,  as  the 
S.  Mis.  155 U 


I      ' 


i   I! 


106 


CH)NTUI1UJTI0NS  TO  TIIIO  NATURAL  IIISTOHY  OK  ALASKA. 


|l    '! 


;  ; 


Hsli  arc  asceiuUiifj  they  vxmw  in  contiict  witli  the  ii«>t.  Tlioy  t'ithor  bocomo  t'litaiifjlt'd  in  (ho  iiu'slios 
or  elso  in  their  8lruj;Kl*'*<  f'l'  "*'^'  l>i'ct)nu'8  .so  wrapped  around  them  (liat  escape  is  iinpossihU*.  They 
are  drawn  to  the  8iirl'aee  and  dispatelied  by  a  bh)w  on  the  head.  Tlie  lisli  is  (piiekly  pn'  in  the 
can<H'  and  the  <lescent  of  the  river  is  eon  tinned  until  (lieeanoe  is  U)aih'd.  Dnrinf;  the  tiiiu-  wlien  tlie 
water  in  tlie  n\  er  is  ninthly  the  tish  cannot  perceive  the  net  at  a  gny.\t  distance  and  rely  on  their 
own  strength  to  break  tlironjih  the  barrier.  In  a.scenilin},^  (he  streams  tlie  tish  keep  near  the  shore 
to  avoid  the  sti  H\jitU  of  the  current  and  also  to  feel  the  (than^ie  of  water  which  may  issue  from  th<« 
tributaries  of  tie  main  stream.  The  natives  then  also  catch  many  of  (he  larger  llsli  by  means  of 
spears,  to  whicli  a  thoiifj  is  attached  sons  to  be  able  to  withdraw  (he  lish  when  struck. 

When  the  liih  are  to  be  prepared  for  dryin}j.  the  head  is  tirst  .severed  from  (he  body,  (he  belly 
ripped  open,  the  entrails  and  other  inner  parts  are  removed.  The  backbone  is  removed  by  a  slit 
leujjthwise,  dividii.i;  the  ribs  from  it,  and  tlu^n  cuttinf^;  down  throuj;h  the  skin.  The  lisli  is  then 
left  so  that  the  two  sides  are  attached  only  at  the  tail.  These  iiiccesare  then  thrown  over  u  j)ole 
or  stapfinj?,  with  the  tlesh  side  out,  so  as  to  dry  as  rapidly  as  possible.  Should  the  (ish  be  larj;e 
several  transver.se  incisioMs  are  nnulo  in  the  llesh  to  facili(a(e  tiie  pn>ccss  of  dryiufj. 

Amou}!  the  Indians  oi  the  Yukon  (his  species  is  prcpari'il  .so  as  (o  make  a  lirs(  rate  f,'rade  of 
ilkali  (the  Russian  -.t-ord  for  i;ll  kinds  of  dried  lish).  The  tish  is  (Mi'e;'iilly  cleaned;  (he  back  boiu^ 
taken  out  with  as  many  of  the  .'((ached  ribs  as  po.ssible;  in  mos(  ins(aiu'es,  especially  If  (he  lish  is 
larj;e,  all  the  boiu's,  except  the  has,  are  carefully  removed.  Thi>  lish  is  hnnn  up  for  seveial  days, 
until  it  has  dried  lait  to  a  certain  tkvree.  The  lish  are  so  full  of  oil  that  amon^'  those  people  who 
have  not  the  opportniiity  of  procnriiifj  ieal  oil,  e.\<^i'iilinn  what  is  broiii;li(  (o  (hem  by  (he  lOskimo 
for  (rade,  wooden  vessels  are  placed  nniic'r  the  (ish  to  obtain  (he  oil  as  it  drips  from  (he  lish 
when  «lryiug.  This  oil  is  ealen  as  food,  or  is  faveil  nidil  'vinler  (o  i..  •>  in  (he  lamps  Af(er  (he  oil 
has  dripped  out  and  (he  lish  is  soi:.ewhat  driet;,  the  pieci  s  are  then  separated  and  placed  bel  wetMi 
layers  of  bi.eh  bark,  formed  so  (ha(  (he  pressuri  of  the  ish  and  weijiht  of  stones,  put  on  (lie  pile  of 
tish,  S(iueezesout  nearly  all  the  oil  in  the  llesh.  This  oil  is  idso  saved  for  use  in  the  dwellin;;s.  The 
tish,  by  this  pressure,  become  very  dry,  yet  not  too  much  .so.  Thi.i  process  secures  a  lirstrale  ar(icle 
of  ukdJi,  which  is  much  son}{ht  for  by  the  traders. 

The  inferitu'  {jrades  of  dried  tish  are  used  asdojvfeed.  .\  lish  which  wciylis,  when  fresh,  about 
(iO  poniuls  will  mak(^  about  LM  pounds  of  ukali.  When  the  backbone  is  diied  with  the  rest  of  |lu> 
body,  i(  (hen  forms  thrt'e  slices.  This  is  done  only  with  thosi^  lish  which  aie  of  iiii  interior  {^rade, 
and  are  intended  tor  don-feeil,  though  they  are  used  oy  the  natives  as  well. 

The  e.xact  localities  where  this  species  sjiawus  was  not  determined  to  my  satisfaclion.  They 
have  such  an  expan.se  of  water  to  ranjie  over  that  amoMj;'  the  numerous  tribntaiies  it  would  be,  a 
very  tlillicult  mattei'  to  as(u'rtain  their  spawi.iii;;'  places.  It  is,  doubtless,  u.iovc  Nulato  on  the 
Yukon  River.  The  run  of  this  species  lasts  In  tin*  Vukon  for  about  tueuly  li\c  days,  •'  e  best  lisli 
beinti  the  tirst,  while  the  last  are  weak  and  frcipicntly  immature  lish.  After  spawning  the  lish  be- 
come I'xhausted,  and  are  thrown  on  the  beat;h  in  immen.se  (luaiitities. 

At  the  Kiiskokvim  River  this  specie:  is  not  so  plentiful  as  in  either  the  Yukon  or  the  Nnsha- 
};ak  River.  On  the  north  side  of  .Miaska  the  lish  ari>  nit)st  abuiidaiil  in  the  livcis  in  the  follow- 
iii){  order;  Y'likun,  Nushagak,  (T^^asik,  Kiiskokvim,  and  Kvi'eliiik,  the  latter  heiii;;  the  outlet  of 
llyanina  Lake. 

North  of  I'nalakhlit  this  species  is  not  to  be  found  in  consideiable  iiiimbers,  it  beiii};- (here 
rei>laced  by  other  species. 

Ainonp;  tlu.  AltMitian  Islands  this  s|)e(;ies  is  not  olteii  obtained.  It  appears  there  to  be  a 
mere  slra;;}>'h>r,  and  annuij;  the  eastern  islands  of  the  chain  not  more  (lian  a  couple  of  do/ens  are 
taken  in  a  year.  1  saw  a  line  female,  which  iiatl  spawned  and  liad  retaiiied  lotltese.i,  taken  at  I'lia- 
laslika,  September  1!"),  1.S7S.  This  iiiilividiial  weiffhetl  JtS  i»ounds,  and  was  ii  excelleni  condidon 
for  the  (able.     It  was  taken  while  seining;'  for  other  species  ofsalmo;.. 

At  Atkha  Island  this  species  is  ocuasionally  taken  in  tli(>  early  spring,  but  mil  more  than  half 
a  lo/.eii  are  yearly  procured. 

At  Attn  they  are  raiely  seen.  Hiit  <me  was  taken  in  ISTIK  and  one  in  isso.  liodi  were  takt>n 
in  the  latter  part  of  September. 

(Jreat  tpiiuilities  of  these  lish  are  salted  by  the  tvhite  people  of  the  Saint  Michael's  district  for 


i  '" 


-.j: 


CONTliimiTIONS  TO  TIIK  NATUK'AL  IIISTOKY  Ol'  AI-ASK A, 


107 


lioinc  (■(iiisiiiii|>( JiMi.  A  lew  liarn'ls  of  li(>llifN  (tlitt  clioict'sl  part  of  llic  lisli)  sii'i*  scut  to  particiiliU' 
IVinids  ill  other  parts  111' the  tcri'itiir.v,  iMid  IV  t(Mv  n-acli  Sail  Kraneisco.  \l  Nii,-(liap:ak  tlio  Alaskiv 
("(•imiificial  Coinpaiiv  lias  a  supply  pit-parcil  to  l»t«  taken  to  the  I'rilivlof  Ishviid.-:  lor  the  natives  al 
that  place. 

At  Niisliaj^ak,  in  IS7S,  a  lar;;e  trap  was  made  ol'  spruce  splints  lastcnetl  !,>  stakes  driven  inl4) 
the  soft  lied  ol  the  lixcr.  The  <loor\va,v  was  so  placed  that  the  llsh  entered,  when  ascendiii);  iVoin 
I  he  sea,  and  conlinncd  to  a  cliainltc:'  U\  a  tcu'tiioiis  passajjc  way;  and,  as  llu>coiu'ccnliviu'!iaiiiliers  led 
ii}j;aiiisl  the  stream  Ihc  llsh  coiistanlly  strn^j'^lcd  to  the  innermost  parts  of  the  trap.  The  in^fress 
was  so  small  that  il  would  lie  dilliiMilt  for  the  llsh  to  relnrn  li.v  it.  I  have  .seen  several  hundred 
llsh,  at  one  tide,  taken  in  tli(>  trap,  and  not  one  of  the  llsh  \vei;;licd  li>ss  than  L'l)  pounds,  ran^in;; 
from  that  up  lo  (1(1  pounds.  Thcv  frciinciitly  Imrsl  the  tiapsidcs,  from  the  pressnreof  tlit>ir  bodies, 
wlieii  the  tid<>  rc\'cdcs.      .\l  this  lime  Ihc  lish  are  taken  omI  and  sailed. 

The  flirt  her  I'orlh  the  lish  are  found  Ihc  lictlcr  the  ijiialit.v  of  the  Ihsli.  The  while  jicoph",  who 
have  had  an  o|iportuiiil,v  of  ealinp^  the  lish  frmii  llie  various  localities  named  aliove,  itivariaUlv 
pronounce  the  Yukon  lish  lo  he  the  licller,  and  a  dilVcrenct^  inii.v  he  delected  in  lli(>  llaviu'  uf  the 
fish  from  each  locality. 

The  ticsli  is  so  oily  that  fal  of  any  kind  is  unnecessary  when  I'ryiii};.  Tlu>  pan  is  made  hot  and 
a  thin  sicak  not  o\  cr  half  an  inch  mi  Ihicliiicss  is  placed  in  il ;  a  snllicicnl  oil  is  soon  tried  out  to 
cook  the  lish  to  :'  rid;,  crisp  lirowii.  The  lish  shoiihi  he  eaten  wliile  hot,  as  it  loses  its  line  t'avor 
wlien  cold. 

The  color  of  the  fresh  llcsli  is  \ariiihle  in  lliis  species;  some  of  the  individuals  liein^an  oniii>;e 
red,  others  lia\  iny;  a  yellowish  red  color,  others  a  deep-red  oraiific.  The  Idood  is  (luite  tlark.  Tlu' 
color  of  Ihc  spawn  is  rcddisii  oraiijic  lo  a  lifjlil  reddish  lirowii.  The  e;j;;s  are  larjie,  and  lie  in  two 
Hreat  masses,  one  on  each  side.  When  the  vjXi^s  are  mature  they  are  nearly  onellflh  of  an  inch  in 
diameter.  The  mill  of  the  mal(>  is  also  in  I  wo  sacks  and  is  of  ii  li;>'ht  asliy  c(diir.  The  milt  is 
},'enerall\  alioiil  one  lliinl  Ihc  si/c  of  Ihc  roe  of  a  fciiial'  of  the  same  wei<ihl,  thouf^h  the  rot<  of  the 
feinah'  will  wcijjh  several  |uiuiids  if  she  he  a  larn'c  I'sh. 

The  lish  present  Ihc  following;  color,  though  there  is  considtM'able  individual  variation:  llciid, 
nape,  dorsum,  and  tail  dark  plumlieus,  nearly  lilack  in  some  individuals  and  of  a  greenish  cast  in 
oiluM's.  The  sides  arc  li;;hl  pliimlieus,  ||it>  liclly  ;^iayish  or  ashy.  The  llns  arc  ficncrally  much 
darker  than  the  oilier  |iorli(iiis  of  llit>  liody.  The  K'lissiaiispeakin;;  people  call  this  species 
(7i(r'i(7(((,  a  wind  derived  from  the  Kamchadalc  lani;uai;('  and  applied  lo  this  or  kindred  species. 
The  iOskiiiio  of  Saint  Michad's  vicinily  call  this  species  T<iL-  zhtik  JUL-  meaniiij;  the  lii;;  salt  initir, 
from  the  w«)rd  liiL'  :liiil.\  iiicaiiiii;;' mk  and  used  also  I'm-  n'tlt.  The  Aienliian  naiiu'  of  this  salmon  is 
.1  mt'  iniij. 


x'iim-  lh(>re 


KM).  ()N(ii()i;ii\  N<in  s  M'-r:.  (NValh.)  (iill  and  .lordan. 

This  species  laicly  allaiiis  a  -^w.xt  wei;:;hl.  The  laincsl  individiiiils  weij;h  as  much  as  12 
pounds  in  the  fresh  state. 

This  species  ariixcs  al  Saiul  iNI  ■chacl's  alioiil  the  l.'illi  of  .Inly  and  coiil  iiiiie  lo  run  for  ahoiil 
Ihice  wccKs.  Tiicsc  lish  prefer  Ihc  sniallcr  sireains.  and  when  ascciidiiii;-  (h(>  lar^'cst  rivers  usu- 
ally run  into  sonic  of  ihe  li  ihiilanes  wliicii  have  a  pehlily  or  rocky  hollom. 

(ireal  nuinlieis  of  llicsc  lish  arc  c:  u;;lil  h,\  means  of  seines  drii;;fied  ahni;;  I  he  sides  of  the 
str<>ains.  In  the  I'liMlakhlil  i;i\cr  Ihcyarc  excessively  alnindanl.  To  this  slieani  Ihc  natives 
from  Ihc  ncijihluiriii};'  coast  repair  lo  pii^pai'c  Ihese  llsh  for  winter  use.  The  lish  an*  slit  into  two 
pieces.  Joined  (Mily  by  the  tail,  and  then  dried.  The  backbone  is  taken  out,  as  the  lish  dries  more 
rapidly  and  does  not  ,so  soon  Iku'oiiic  I'ancid.  The  backbones  are  also  dried  for  do};  food.  When 
dried  thoroughly,  tiii>  averau<>  wcij^hl  is  not  more  ihan  a  pound  and  a  half,  as  the  backbone  and 
head  arc  taken  olf. 

This  species  was  not  obserxcd  amoii^'  any  of  the  .Menlian  Islands.  1  was  infiu'iued  that  it  is 
taken  in  scanty  nninbers  at  irrciinlar  seasons  al  Unalashka  and  .Mtii.  This  lish  remains  ,so!iieliin(<H 
in  Ihe  rivers  until  the  cud  of  Ihe  year.  They  spawn  aboni  Ihe  Isl  of  August  and  have  (■oiii|ileled 
by  the  Itlfh.  They  relnrn  weak,  and  in  innst'  iiistuiiee.s  injured  on  thu  rocks,  .so  that  tli(\v  ivro  e.iiHt 
))ii  tlic  slior(«  in  ^>real  i|uanlilies. 


I    1 


• 


■ 


\\ 


108 


COXTKlJiUTlONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASiIA. 


Tlio  flcMli  of  this  speines  is  not  good.  It  is  coarse  and  without  a  decided  flavor.  The  color  ri 
the  freah  ilesli  in  lif^lit-icddiali  oran^ri',  the  mature  ova  beiupf  still  lighter.  The  exterior  color  of 
this  flah  is  coiisid v>ral)l.v  lighter  than  0.  choui'cha,  but  of  the  same  j..ittern. 

The  Russian  name  of  this  species  is  Hoikd.    The  Eskimo  name  at  Saint  Miciiael's  is  Nnk  kuk, 

101.  ONCiioiniVNC'ii's  NKUKA  (Walb.)  dill  and  .lordiin. 

This  species  arriv»'s  .it  Saint  Michael's  about  the  last  da.vs  of  July  and  remains  until  the  Hrst 
week  ill  Mei)teinl>er.  'I'liesi'  tish  prefer  the  smaller  streams  of  the  maiidand  and  islamls.  'IMiey  are 
caught  in  great  nun)>iers  by  means  ot  seines.  These  seines  are  usually  set  across  the  stream,  and 
when  a  snfncient  'aimber  is  canp'-.i,  lelow,  the  seine  is  drawn  on  shore  and  the  lish  thrown  out  of 
the  seine  as  fi'st  as  the  number  of  the  lish  will  permit  it.  Huinlreds  at  a  time  are  caught  by  thi'' 
means.  The  I'i.-'kin'o  also  use  a  small  dip-net  aiid  secure  many  of  these  fish  by  inserting  it  un<ler 
the  shelving  banks,  or  between  tlu  rocky  places,  where  they  may  have  stopped  to  rest.  Among  the 
Aleutian  islands  tlu^  small  moniitain  streams,  which  t'orni  the  outlet  of  a  lake  situated  at  the  head 
of  large  ravines,  arc^  favorite  jihuies  for  these  lish  to  ascend  for  spawning.  The  si)awn  is  said  to  be 
placed  among  the  line  gravel  at  the  bottom  of  the  deei)est  portions  of  the  lakes.  The  tish  ascend 
these  streams  at  the  high  tides  which  occur  toward  the  early  morning,  usually  from  I  to  .'i  r.  ni. 
They  play  around  the  mouths  of  the  streams  for  many  days  before  entering.  They  enter  slowly  at 
first.  In  the  course  of  a  few  days  a  suflicieiit  number  have  arrived  at  the  spawning  phuies.  They 
swim  round  and  round  the  lake,  seeking  the  best  locality,  ami  on  the  arrival  of  the  greater  part  of 
the  tish  that  will  enter  that  place  the  tish  begin  to  clear  the  mud,  slime,  and  moss;:  accumulations 
off  the  pebbles  which  are  at  the  place  .selected  by  them.  Tl.e  fish  work  industriously,  turning  over 
the  gravel  with  their  snouts,  until  a  clean  surface  is  presented  on  whit^h  to  place  their  spawn.  1  had 
an  opportunity  to  verify  this  at  Attu  Island  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  l.S.S(K  Tlie  tish  were  ob- 
served shooting  through  the  watCrttf  a  lake  near  the  village;  and,  on  impiiry,  I  was  informed  tliat 
they  were  clearing  tlicii  si)awniiig-grounds.  While  (ileaiing  the  area  they  iciot  around  among  the 
gravel  and  mini,  and  wln'ii  a  sulli(!ient  space  is  upturned  they  swim  rapidly  over  it,  the  motion  of 
their  body  (-reating  a  current,  wliicih  removes  the  loosely  adherent  particles  of  slime  and  mud  which 
have  settled  on  tlli'm,  the  result,  of  the  accumulations  which  have  been  washed  down  during  the 
winter  ai.d  spring  months.  Tlie  s])awn  is  then  dejwsited  on  the  clean  surlace.  The  young  fry 
do  not  leave  the  lakes  until  the  following  spring,  or  Just  before  the  adults  arrive  the  following  year. 

About  the  1st  of  May  the  Aleuts  of  Attu  Island  prepare  tiie  weir  (zvpor  of  the  Hnssians) 
which  obstructs  the  i)assage  of  the  fish  to  the  lake.  A  level  phu-e  in  the  bed  of  the  creek  is  selected 
where  the  baiik.s  are  so  high  that  in  times  of  very  high  water  it  wdl  How  over  the  top  of  the  weir 
before  it  will  undermine  tiie  place  where  the  ii|>i»er  log  of  the  weir  is  secured  in  tlie  bank.  Each 
head  o.''  a  family  and  the  young  men  contribute  so  much  material  in  the  shape  of  stakes  of  the 
requisite  length,  generally  about  !>  feet  long  and  .'{  inches  in  width  by  '2  inches  in  thickness. 
A  long  log  is  laid  across  the  stream  at  a  convciiient  height  (al)out  .<  feet  abov(<  the  bed  of  the 
stream).  The  stiikcs  arc  then  si'l  slanting,  with  the  lower  end  further  up-stream.  Large  rocks  are 
used  to  hold  the  stakes  in  ]iositi(m  and  to  allow  the  water  from  above  to  i>ass  through,  .\lter  this 
is  done  the  betl  ol  iiie  creek  bi-low  the  weir  is  cleared  of  all  loose  stoin's,  so  as  tt)  allow  the  net  or 
hand-seine  to  be  used  in  (•■.itching  the  tish,  which  collect  below  and  cannot  pass  lieyond. 

Eiiily  in  the  morning  the  people  visit  the  locality  ;  and,  if  su(li(!iei:t  lish  have  collected  during 
the  night,  all  the  people  at  the  place  assemble,  and  those  most  expert  in  using  the  .seine  stand 
some  distance  below  (he  weir.  The  young  boys  ami  girls  have  gime  into  the  water  some  distance 
below,  and  with  shouts  and  beating  the  water  the  tish  seek  the  shelter  near  the  wt.'ir.  Those  hold- 
ing the  seine  then  enter  and  soon  have  all  tht  fish  se^-ured.  They  are  thrown  on  the  bank  ami 
pleaned.  The  (ish  an* owned  in  common;  any  one  wlio  desires  to  wor!:  can  do  so,  those  not  sode-. 
firing  will  of  course  be  renu'inbcred,  in  the  winter,  when  the  tish  are  to  be  dislributetl.  After  f'>e 
fish  are  dried  they  are  carried  on  the  backs  of  the  women  and  children  to  the  princi[)id  village  and 
stored,  in  October,  in  sea  lion  stomachs  for  winter's  food.  The  stomaciis  of  these  animals  are  very 
)»rge,  and  when  fresh  are  intlated  with  air  ami  stretched  as  much  as  possible,  sometimes  having  a 
papacity  of  over  .'(.")  gallons,  or  a  little  more  than  a  barrel.  These  skins  make  a  convenient  recep- 
^cle  for  storing  these  tish,  as  thty  absorb  just  9uflicien(;  nioisti^re  to  keep  the  contents  in  good  con. 


CONTJIIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  IlISTOKY  OK  ALASKA. 


109 


dition  and  also  ])r*n'ent  mold  from  spoiling  tlicni.  When  food  is  scarce,  tlio  chief  or  some  other 
selected  person  divides  the  supply  of  fish,  giving  to  each  person  a  stated  niantity,  so  that  each 
will  get  an  e()ual  share. 

The  fail  of  snow  of  the  ])receding  winter  has  much  to  do  with  the  summer's  catch  of  lish  at  Attn. 
The  streams  are  short  and  shallow,  so  that  if  snfticient  snow  has  not  fallen  diM-ing  the  winter  to 
feed  the  streams  with  water  daring  summer  the  fish  will  not  enter  the  creeks,  'i'lie  supply  of  these 
fish  laid  l»y  at  Attn  for  the  winter  of  1,SS()-',S1  \va«  not  over  1,'J(M»,  for  during  the  preceiling  year  hut 
litth'  snow  had  fallen  and  Itut  little  rain  in  July  and  August  of  1S,S().  This  same  species  is  also 
caught  at  that  place  hy  means  of  a  ^inall  seine  about  l2(M'eet  long, olV  the  mouths  of  the  small 
streams  as  the  fish  are  wailing  for  a  favorable  tide  to  lielp  «'.arry  them  over  the  small  bars  at  the 
mouth  of  the  creek.  When  the  wiiul  is  blowing  on  shore  the  fish  keep  at  some  distance,  but  when 
blowing  from  the  land  the  fish  cotne  into  shallow  water.  The  net  is  carried  out  by  nu'ans  of  two 
canoes  lashed  together,  or  else  from  a  small,  open  skinboat  called  a  hidani.  Two  men.  row  the  boat, 
another  puts  the  net  ont  in  the  iirojaM"  jiosition,  while  those  on  .dioni  hold  to  a  rope  by  which  it  is 
gently  drawn  along  the  bea(!li  until  the  fish  begin  to  show  signs  of  Iteing  within  the  net.  The  boat 
is  then  rapidly  taken  to  shore  and  the  two  ends  slowly  dragged  out  until  the  captured  fish  are 
drawn  out.  This  manner  of  taking  fish  is  practiced  by  all  the  Aleuts,  while  the  traps  across  the 
streams  are  not  used  at  all  i)laces  on  ai^-'ount  of  scarcity  of  wood.  At  Atkha  and  IJnalashka 
seines  or  nt^ts  are  mostly  used. 

The  Aleids  in  former  times  procuired  th"ir  fish  in  the  sanui  manner.  At  some  i)laces  are  tra«!es 
of  former  superstitions  concerning  the  fish  streams.  A  man  who  was  gniity  ot  sonui  crinu'  against 
Ills  fellows  wa.",  not  permitted  to  cross  the  stream  during  the  fishing  season.  At  Unmak  Island 
wonu'U  at  certain  jieriod*  are  not,  even  at  the  present  tiu)e,  allowed  to  partiiiiiate  in  the  labor  of 
catching  the  tish,  l')r  i\ar  of  polluting  the  stream. 

The  Alaska  t'omnu'rcial  <'omi>any  and  the  Western  Fur  and  Trading  Company  have  erected 
qu'te  extensive  packing  works  at  Karluk.  on  the  northwest  einl  of  Kadiak  lslaiul,for  salting  their 
fish.  During  the  season  of  ISSl  over  ;i,0(lO  barrels  of  these  (isli  were  put  up  for  the  California 
market.  The  workmen  of  the  two  comi)anies  used  seines  for  catching  the  tish,  and  (H)uld  caich  as 
numy  as  were  jiossible  to  save  when  caught. 

This  s])ccies  is  called  Krdsiiayii  rv'ha  in  the  Kiissiari  I.iiiguage,  ami  V«'/i- A/V/.' in  the  I'jskimo 
language;  and  ,1'  iiul:  by  (he  Aleuts. 


10-'.  Oncowiiynciu's  KisuTCiri  (Walb.)  dill  and  .Ionian. 
This  species  ariives  at  Saiid  Michael's  about  the  first  of  August  and  remains  until  the  freez- 
ing of  the  t'resh  wa.er  in  the  latter  part  of  0(ttober  or  early  Noxcmber.  These  l"sh  are  not  so 
numei'(>n,s  sit  Saint  iMichael's  as  the  snecies  lurka,  hela,  ov  (inrhusrliu.  They  are  larp-r  than  either 
of  tho-r  si('!'i('s,  ami  less  in  size  than  t!u>  clKwivlia.  The  aveiage  wi'iglit  of  this  species  will  be  not 
far  I'  1.  twi  (v-two  pounds.  They  are  darker  colored  exteriorly  than  the  other  species  and  have 
s;;'  .s  ■  •  'i  'iiis,  upper  si<les,  and  head.  These  spots  are  daik  clioeolate  in  life,  ami  soon  become 
inU'  ai  .' /•■  |i.  They  are  procured  in  the  same  nninner  as  the  other  species  and  are  drie.i  for 
food.  Ti.  '  lalrves  of  the  mainland  do  not  consider  this  species  as  being  |iarticnlaily  good.  It  is 
used  princi|';i,;,\  for  doji-t'ood  by  the  Kskimo.  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  tln^  nioi'e  northern 
imlividuals  of  this  spctaes  aie  not  so  good  as  tlmse  found  fartln  rsoutli.  They  ai'e  ipilte  pleidiful 
anu)ng  the  .Meutian  Islands.  Here  they  are  presei  vcd  by  drying,  salting,  or  <!rying  for  a  few  days, 
then  salting  vei  v  slightly  and  han};ing  In  the  smok"  to  linisl  drying.  When  prcjiared  with  care 
and  snniked  for  several  days  with  good  hard  wood  (an,>  ;  "ii«/  than  siirnce  <u'  eottonwood)  they  aie 
tin»(  eating.  When  frieil  vliese  fish  are  very  dry,  and  have  a  tendency  to  crnnilile  to  fim-  pieces 
while  in  the  ))an.'  The  libers  of  the  meat  ilo  m)t  hold  together.  This  species  is  the  last  to  arriv(>  at 
the  Aleutian  Islands  ami  renniin  until  the  snow  covers  the  ground.  The  habits  of  this  species  arc 
b-  /'.ar  to  those  of  the  species  iiirha  and  fiorhusvliii,  excepting  that  the  spawn  is  laid  anu)ng  c-oarser 
(.fiif  c",  >ind  stones  along  the  banks  of  the  creek  ami  lakes.  These  fish  tear  uji  large  areas  of 
Stt'i  '  '  ^;  ,1  by  rolling  them  about  clean  the  slinu'  ami  mud  from  the  surface  of  the  s])aw!iing- 
gro.iiuiH.  l<;vcn  ;  he  banks  of  the  lakes,  w  here  a  gravel  bed  has  jirevionsly  foriiu'd,  will  bo 
excavated  so  as  to  jirocurc  t'"^  necessary  stoiies  tnhong  whjcli  to  deposit   their  spawn.    Tl'O 


'■-"iT- 


1 


110 


(JONTBIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


siioiitH  niid  liiiH  of  tli«-  ArIi  aro  worn  nearly  off  at  the  end  of  the  Hoason.  The  Wsli  in  tlio  latter  part 
of  October  and  November  are  so  exIiaiiHted  that  they  then  ascend  the  Hniall  branclieH  of  the 
principal  streams  and  there  wait  tiieir  tleath.  I  liave  seen  them  with  the  end  of  the  snout  worn 
otf  past  the  inuK/le  and  not  a  tin  on  them.  At  this  seiwton  the  native  (Aleut)  boys  no  early  in  the 
mornint;  and  eateh  tiiese  fish  ns  they  move  in  the  deej)€r  portions  of  tl  little  slreitnis — deeper 
than  wide — which  have  cut  thron},'li  the  ravines.  The  nnnd)er  of  these  lish  at  Atkha  is  considerably 
iirealer  than  at  Attn  and  lest!  than  at  Unalashka.  I  have  seen  individuals  of  this  s|)eeie»'  can^l't 
as  late  as  the  middle  of  January.  They  are,  after  the  middle  of  September,  in  poor  condition  and 
tit  only  for  food  duriu};  most  i)ressint;  need. 

The  fish  is  a  stioiifj  swimmer  and  very  active,  stemming  the  strong  currents  of  the  nu)untain 
streams  with  a  rai)id,  zigzag  course. 

The  eggs  of  this  spi'cies  are  collected  by  the  youngsters  and  put  into  the  skin  of  the  fish  after 
all  the  (lesh  has  been  removed.    This  is  as  carefully  saved  as  is  the  ukali  made  by  the  adults. 

The  Russian  name  of  this  species  is  Ki'zooch.    The  Aleuts  call  it  Kn  Ac'  thnkh. 

103.  ONriiORYNCiius  GOBBUSOiiA  (Walb.)  Gill  and  Jordan. 

This  salmon  is  the  smallest  of  all  the  species  in  this  genus.  Tli.?y  will  not  average  over  five 
pountls  in  weight.  They  are  distinguisliable  at  a  glau'  <•  by  the  arched  back,  which  gives  them  the 
common  name  lluni]>  back  or  Gor'otVsha  in  the  liuss,  r-  ige.    This  species  arrives  at  Saint 

Michael's  about  the  2oth  of  July  and  remains  five  weeiit  v  also  prefer  the  smaller  streams 

and  in  some  ])liices  are  to  be  counted  only  by  hundreds  of  i  i  ,inds.  They  appear  at  the  surface 
of  the  water  like  the  pindrops  of  an  April  shower.  Near  the  liead  of  Norton  Sound  these  tisli  are 
so  abundant  that  the  streams  are  choked  with  the  struggling  mass  impelled  by  the  calls  of  repro- 
duction. These  fish  are  obtained  in  the  same  manner  as  the  other  species.  They  are  fat  and  when 
fried  are  next  to  the  cliavi'cha  in  flavor.  The  extremely  old  fish  have  a  mealy  substance  at  the  base 
of  the  dorsal  fin,  beneath  the  skin,  which  has  a  tendency  to  make  the  meat  dry.  The  belly  is  very 
fine,  and  in  the  earliest  tisli  to  arrive  it  is  not  to  be  surpassed  as  a  pan  piece. 

Tliis  species  has  about  th«>  same  habits  as  the  leta,  preferring,  however,  to  deposit  its  spawn 
on  the  clean  sand  at  the  bottom  of  the  lakes. 

The  exterior  color  of  this  speiiies  is  much  lighter  than  either  of  the  others.  The  back  is  light 
plumbeous  with  silvery  sides,  the  belly  white.  The  fins  are  darker  at  the  tips  and  lighter  at  the 
base,  tlie  dorsal  and  caiulal  are  like  the  color  of  the  back. 

TliiK  lish  makes  a  good  article  of  ukali,  but  in  ai)t  to  become  very  dry.  Much  other  matter 
might  be  written  in  regard  to  the  salmon  of  Alaska.  The  fishing  interest  is  merely  being  awakened, 
and  not  until  the  sujiply  nearer  home  is  exhausted  and  the  demand  becomes  greater  will  it  be  fully 
known  what  stores  of  lish  are  yet  in  Alaska  awaiting  the  enterprise  of  the  people  to  bring  them 
to  a  market.  The  season  is  sufficiently  long  for  any  well-iegulated  cannery  or  packing  establish- 
UH'ut  to  procure  all  that  could  be  taken  care  of.  Native  help  is  abundant  and  may  be  procured 
at  a  very  reasonal>le  rate,  especially  if  supplies  of  tea,  coffee,  sugar,  flour,  ami  crackers  are  kei)t 
in  sloi'(>  for  the  natives  to  draw  upon  while  engaged  in  the  season's  work. 

Several  i)ers(nis  have  atti'inpted  to  establish  works  for  preserving  these  fish,  but  have  failed 
for  !a(!k  of  the  ie<piisite  know  ledge  and,  in  some  instances,  iiisutliciency  of  cai)ital.  There  is  no 
doubt  that  tlidusands  of  barrels  of  salted  salmon  and  the  same  number  of  cases  of  canned  fish 
could  be  pre|»ared  in  the  summer  season  at  the  mouth  of  the  Yukon.  A  vessel  would  have  to  take 
the  supi»lies  for  each  year  in  advance,  as  the  fishing  season  would  be  half  over  before  a  vessel 
«'ould  arrive  at  the  grounds,  owing  to  the  shifting  of  the  channel.  At  the  Nushagak  and  Ugasik 
l-iiveis,  also,  canneries  (H)uld  1»(^  i)rolitably  erected,  and  with  a  season  of  ten  days  longer  than  at 
the,  Yukon.  At  Kadiak  but  little  has  been  done,  though  the  day  is  not  far  distant  wLen  other 
establishments  will  l)e  eici'led  in  that  neighborhood.  The  fish  alrea<ly  command  a  remunerative 
]ui(re  in  the  San  Francisco  markt'ts,  and  have  only  to  be  introduced  to  give  an  extended  eiwteru 
demand  for  I  hem. 

The  Aleuts  give  the  name  Ath  fin'  yuk  to  this  salmon. 

Th(^  relative  values  of  the  different  species  stand  as  follows,  according  to  the  opinion  of  those 
who  have  had  o[»portunity  to  test  tlie  matter ;  first,  the  vhavi'vha,  tlicu  yorbimchd,  kiiiuU'h,  keta^ 
mn\  nerka, 


I, 


! 


ContiiU.  Nat.  lllHt.  Aliiskii  — TiiiiiBr 


PLATE  14. 


CO 


CQ 
< 


< 

D 
u 


-I..  I.. .J 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  Tni')  NATURAL  HISTORY  OK  ALASKA. 


Ill 


The  natives  have  tUflTerent  opinions  of  their  relative  values.  The  Aleuts  consider  the  cartihvfj- 
inous  nose  and  forehead  of  the  kiHutch  to  be  the  best  of  food  when  fresh.  I  liave  seen  the  entire 
family  seated  on  the  parlor  Hoor  with  a  kinuUh  before  each  nicnibor,  who  was  industrioiisiv  strip- 
piiifj  that  portion  ott'  the  head  and  devouriiig  it.  The  heads  make  a  ricli  soup  wiiiiih  is  highly 
praised  by  some  of  the  white  people.  Tiie  belly  of  the  chavi'rhii  is  usually  cut  from  the  body  «)f  the 
larjje  fish  and  salted  as  a  separate  piece.  This  is  the  tinest  of  all  salted  tlsh.  It  is  very  fat  and 
has  a  taste  that  once  partaken  of  is  rarely  forgotten.  Wiien  freshened  and  dressed  with  spices  and 
vinegar  it  is  a  tenipting  dish.  The  Russians  make  a  kind  of  pastry. of  salmon  bellies,  rice,  eggs 
and  such  other  things  as  may  be  at  hand.  When  prepared  in  good  style  it  is  vtuy  nice,  but  when 
it  has  a  few  shreds  of  Attn  garlic  in  it  it  is  better  to  let  it  alone  if  you  expciit  to  entertain  friends 
during  the  next  several  days. 

CLUPEID^. 

100.  Cltjpea  mibauilis  Girard.     (See  Fig.  XIV.) 

The  herring  arri'  "s  at  Saint  Michael's  about  the  lOlli  of  .Line  and  remains  ten  to  twelve  days. 
It  is  extremely  abunUiint,  swimming  in  large  schools  near  the  shore;  seeking  localities  where  stsi- 
weeds  abound  on  which  to  deposit  its  spawn. 

The  natives  use  seines  with  meshesof  two  inches  across  for  these  lish  and  catijh  them  by  the  ton. 
They  are  eviscerated  and  dried  for  fooil.  Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  this  species  is  wonderfully 
abundant.  At  Unalashka  they  are  plentiful  in  thv  latter  i)art  of  .Inly  and  again  in  September, 
though  the  second  appearance  of  the  fish  is  not  always  certain  in  this  locality.  The  Aleuts  of 
Unalashka  catch  thousands  of  these  tlsh  in  seines.  1  knew  one  haul  of  a  weine,  about  75  feet  long,  to 
su(!cessfully  land  3,(i00  of  these  fish  at  Immrigne  oove,  near  Iliiiliuk  villag",  on  Unalashka  Island. 

At  Atkha  Island  they  are  excessively  abundant  in  Old  Ihirbor,  on  tl  <^  northeast  side  of  the 
island.  The  Atkhau  people  preserve  large  numbers  of  these  fisli  bydrying  Miem.  1  do  not.  know 
that  they  occur  at  Attn  Island  ;  for  during  the  two  seasons  that  I  was  there,  none  i>ut  in  an  appear- 
an(H',  and  as  the  natives  did  not  sjjcak  of  them  I  am  led  to  conclude  they  d(  not  visit  that  island. 
All  along  the  south  side  of  Aliaska  and  the  Kadiak  district  these  iisii  are  p  entit'ni.  Tlieir  range 
is  comprised  bt^tween  the  southern  coast  of  ('aliforuia  and  Bering's  Strait. 

The  heriing  of  the  Aleutian  Islands  are  larger  than  ihose  of  the  Saint  Aiichad's  district  and 
possess  a  decidedly  sujierior  flavor. 

The  Russian  name  of  this  lish  is  Selld;  the  Eskimo  name  is  I  hath  hto  iVk  piik ;  I  he  Aleutian 
name  for  the  herring  is  U'l  nyan. 

RAIIDiB. 

n;3.  Rata  I'ARMiFEBA  Bean. 

This  Ray  is  abundant  at  some  lo(!alities  among  the  Alentinii  Islands.  Toward  evening,  when 
the  tide  is  high,  these  iineer-looking  objects  ('ome  near  the  w;ilers  edge  to  seek  the  (ilVnl,  wliieli  may 
have  been  thrown  on  the  beach  after  the  fish  caught  tlnring  the  ilay  have  been  cleaiieil.  Th<'  IJays 
appear  to  forget  that  the  tide  in  the  ocean  has  an  ebb  as  well  as  a  Hood,  for  iniml)ers  mc  left  on 
the  beach  by  the  reiiediiig  tide.  I'arly  in  the  morning  in  Jannaiy,  I'ehniary,  March,  and  the  early 
part  of  April  great  numbers  are  left  on  the  beach.  They  seem  to  niiike  no  sti  iigglt;  to  get  buck  in 
the  water,  as  the  sand  under  them  is  apparently  uinlistiirbed  where  they  lie  with  tiieir  lieads  to- 
ward the  point  from  which  the  wind  was  blowing  at  the  time.  When  a  Iiaiil  wind  storm  is  eoni- 
inencing  these  Itays  may  be  seen  sporting  at  the  surface  of  tlu^  water  like  Hashes  of  light  or  snmll 
white-caps  just  breaking  :  dozens  at  a  time  may  be  seen.  There  is  no  use,  made  of  the  llesli.  The 
Aleuts  look  with  disgust  upon  these  fish.  The  color  of  the  lish  is  about  that  of  dressed  sole- 
leather  on  the  back  and  white  underneath,  with  pinkish  patches  near  the  nose  and  anus. 

1  have  never  seen  this  species  west  of  I'nalashka,  though  it  doubtless  occurs  tlirougliont  at 
least  the  eastern  islands  of  the  chain. 

At  Saint  Michael's  it  is  very  rare ;  only  a  few  individuals  were  known  to  the  natives.  This 
species  attains  a  great  s-'i/.e,  often  three  feet  long  ami  two  feet  wide.  This  and  one  of  the  large 
Sculpins  (Cottiis)  are  the  most  disgusting  inhabitants  of  that  i>art  of  the  sea. 


112 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


I  i 


IS 


t 


Their  food  is  couipoHed  of  anything  that  may  come  in  the  way.  Tlio  mouth  is  capable  of 
being  projected  three  or  more  iuchen  and  is  sntticieut  in  iwwer  wlieii  projected  to  cause  tlie  hand 
to  receive  a  smart  blow. 

The  Russiaii-Hpeaking  peojtle  call  the  Rays  Morskoi  Chikit,  or  Sea  gulls. 

PETROMYZONTIDiB. 

lie.  AiWMOtHKTKS  AURRiis  Bean.     (See  Fig.  XV.) 

This  8i)ecies  of  Lamprey  ascends  the  Yukon  River  in  the  latter  part  of  December  of  each  year 
They  are  so  abundant  that  figures  fail  to  ex])res8  an  a<lequate  idea  of  tlieir  numbers.  They  swim 
in  large  schools  toward  their  spawning  place,  which  is  yet  undetermined.  They  are  not  rapid  in 
their  movements,  so  that  by  the  mi<ldle  of  February  they  have  ascended  only  about  2.10  miles  up 
the  river.  By  that  time  they  have  arrived  at  Auvik  and  Mission  (ui  the  Yukon,  and  by  the  latter 
part  of  April  they  have  arrived  at  Fort  Yukon,  over  1,(M)0  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river.  The 
season  at  any  given  place  is  about  three  weeks. 

At  Mission  and  Anvik  the  natives,  who  are  on  the  watch  for  their  coming,  cut  a  narrow  piecje  of 
ice  out  of  the  river,  and  in  a  direction  across  the  current  where  the  fish  are  asctMidiug.  A  long 
stick,  having  several  twigs  or  forks  left  on  it,  is  used  to  obtain  these  fish.  The  native  then  thrusts 
it  into  the  water,  and  with  a  (piick  lift  throws  out  dozens  of  these  lish  at  a  time.  In  a  couple  of 
hours  an  industrious  native  will  have  caught  a  wagon-load  of  them.  The  fish  are  thrown  into  piles 
and  are  left  to  freeze  as  they  fall.  So  long  as  the  ice  in  the  river  lasts  the  i)ile  of  fish  is  secure,  as 
it  is  frozen  so  hard  that  nothing  affects  it.  When  the  fish  are  wanted  for  food  a  chunk  is  |»icked 
oti'  and  taken  to  the  Isuts.  The  fish  are  very  fat.  The  oil  is  leadily  boiled  out,  and  is  said  to  have 
a  ]deasant  taste,  though  a  rather  rank  smell.  1  am  not  aware  that  this  s]>ecies  is  fouu<l  anywhere 
else  than  in  the  Yukon  itiver. 

The  color  of  the  lish  is  yellowish  olive  on  the  back,  becoming  lighter  on  sides  and  tlull  sul- 
phur-yellow on  abdomen  and  low(!r  side  of  head.  The  lower  jmrts  posterior  to  the  anus  are  like  the 
color  of  the  sides. 

The  Russian  name  of  this  sjtecies  is  Memuja,  meaning  Lamprey.  As  tliis  sjiecies  does  not  occur 
in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's,  I  coidd  not  learn  any  name  for  it  in  the  lOskbno  language.  These 
people  oidy  know  of  the  fish  by  its  being  obtained  from  the  Yukon. 

SCYMNIDiB. 

95  (of  Api)eudix).  Somniosxts  miobocephalus  (Blocli)  <iill. 

On  the  ii.Sth  of  November,  1874,  a  trailer  was  visiting  .some  fox-trai)s  a  few  miles  above  Saint 
Michael's.  His  attention  was  directed  to  the  dogs  which  accompanied  him,  snilling  the  air,  and 
running  to  the  shore  under  a  high  bluff  where  they  found  adead  Shark  wlii(!li  had  api)areiitly  been 
lying  there  several  days,  and  was  probably  stranded  there  previous  to  the  bay  having  been  frozen 
over  on  the  10th  of  that  month.  1  was  informed  of  it,  and  went  with  him  to  the  i)lace.  In  the 
mean  time  he  had  set  several  fox  traps  near  the  carcass,  as  the  foxes  attracted  by  the  food  had 
visited  it  in  great  nuudiers.  On  airiving  at  the  place  he  told  me  to  look  out  for  traps.  ,Iust  at  that 
instant  a  setter  dog  stepped  into  one  of  the  trajts.  The  fright  made  the  dog  jump  so  high  that  she 
struck  him,  and  nearly  knocked  him  down.  Alter  releasing  the  dog,  we  pried  the  Shark  out  from 
between  the  rocks  and  shore-ice.  It  measured  seven  feet  nine  inches  in  length,  and  weighed  ;{40 
pounds.  A  portion  was  taken  to  the  redoubt,  where  it  was  used  as  dog  food,  the  dogs  having  no 
dislike  for  the  meat. 

A  second  specimen  was  castuj)  bythe  sea  near  the  village  of  At  hwik,  or  Stebbins,on  the  western 
side  of  the  island  of  Saint  Michael's,  in  November,  187G.  These  two  individuals  were  the  only  ones 
ever  known  to  occur  in  that  vicinity,  as  the  natives  had  never  seen  or  heard  of  them  previous  t<» 
the  appearance  of  the  first  one. 

A  large  species  of  Shark  (Squalus  acanthias  lAnni)  occurs  in  the  neighborhood  of  Karluk  on  the 
north  western  side  of  Kadiak  Island.  It  comes  there  in  large  schools,  sometimes  numbering  thirty 
to  fifty,  to  obtain  the  salmon  which  are  entering  the  snnill  river  at  that  point.  The  natives  en- 
gaged in  helping  preserve  salmon  for  the  fishing  stations  there  generally  take  a  calm  day  and  hunt 


; 


-iilii-.. 


■i 


Cunti'ib.  IVitt.  Hint   Alanliji.— 'rmiiui'. 


PLATE  IS. 


03 

3 
b] 
Oi 

0 

< 

CO 

(d 
H 

a 

u 
o 
s 

S 

<: 


I  * 


', 


iy_._ 


CONTUinUTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


113 


tlieHO  Slmrks  with  liiirpuoiiH.  At'Uu'  liuiiiK  Ntruck  aiul  tiiotl  out  tliu  tiMli  in  (lis|iiit*;liiMl  with  nlniiuc, 
driven  tlirouf;Ii  tlic  licart.  Th(t  livers  iirc  tiikoii  out  and  the  oil  iill(>w(>d  to  drain  IVoni  tlieni  an<l  used 
AH  food,  and  Ih  conHid(>rcd  ((uitc  a  prize  by  thoHi^  peoph*.  Tlie  Heason  lor  the  arrival  of  that  Shark  at 
Karliik  is  from  the  ISthof  .Inly  to  the'J.'Stli,  and  it  reinainHonly  afew  days.  I  saw  the  bodies  of  over 
11  do/.en  individuals  from  wliich  the  livers  had  been  taken.  The  liver  is  very  large  and  will  yield  ii 
considerable  (|inintity  of  oil. 

At  Atkhu  Island  I  saw  a  large  Shark  swimming,  with  its  blaek  tin  out  of  water,  in  Naxan  Hay, 
in  the  latter  j)art  of  .June,  1S7!*.  I  (Ired  several  shots  into  it,  but  failed  to  get  it.  This  speckles  was 
doubtless  ditVerent  from  the  one  seen  at  Karluk,  and  totally  distinct  from  the  one  at  the  head  of 
thisartiele.  Unfortunately  I  had  not  the  nieansof  preserving  large  llsli, so  had,  in  several  instanceH, 
to  let  desirable  lishes  be  passed  by. 

OCTomrH  l-UNOTATUB  Oabb. 

This  ereatnro  is  distributed  in  great  abundance  throughout  the  southern  and  eastern  part  of  the 
coast  line.  It  is  not  plentiful  north  of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  but  among  tlieni  is  extremely  ])lenti- 
f'ul.  The  natives  assert  th<!t  it  was  common  in  Unalashka  ))revious  to  18*i7,  but  an  earth(|uake 
caused  them  to  leave  the  neighborhood  of  Iliuliuk  village.  Of  late  years  tliey  are  beginning  to 
reappear.  At  this  i)lace  they  do  not  attain  a  very  great  size,  seldom  over  three  to  live  feet  in  expanse 
of  arms.  At  the  islands  west  of  the  islands  of  the  FourCrat(!i's  this  species  is  found  in  great  num- 
bers, and  in  some  I(M;alitios  attains  a  great  size,  some  iiulividuals  being  over  lU  feet  in  oxpanso 
of  outstretched  arms.  At  Kiska  Island  the  largest  individuals  occur,  though  but  little  larger  than 
those  of  Attu. 

They  fre»iuent  the  shallower  parts  of  the  flat  toi)ped  reefs  of  rocks  and  roctky  shoals  at  the 
entrances  to  harbors  and  between  islets. 

They  are  generally  drawn  up  in  a  crevice  of  the  rock,  awaiting  an  uidiu^ky  flsli  to  pass  within 
reach,  when  the  arms  aij  thrown  out  with  lightning  like  rapiility,  and  seizing  the  victim  it  is 
slowly  drawn  toward  the  body  and  devoured.  The  animal  then  remains  very  sluggish  for  some 
time.  The  natives  also  lind  them  where  the  receding  tide  has  left  them  in  a  crevice  of  the  rocks. 
The  animal  is  said  at  this  time  to  be  easily  frightened  and  will  run  over  the  beach  to  the  water 
with  astonishing  rai>idity.  The  natives  catch  them  with  a  hooked  gall',  wliich  is  carefully  placed 
under  the  animal  when  it  is  discovered  in  the  shallow  water.  I?y  a  quick  jerk  the  animal  is  with- 
drawn betbre  the  disks  have  an  opportunity  to  grasp  the  surf'acj  of  the  rocks.  The  flesh  is  used 
as  food,  either  in  a  raw  condition  or  boiled.  It  is  considered  very  line  eating.  When  going  out  on 
a  lishing  party  the  jjcoide  are  generally  successful  if  a  "Kak"  (Russian  name)  is  secured  for  bait. 
Fish  of  all  kinds,  which  will  bite  at  the  hook,  eagerly  seize  this  food.  Again,  the  lislierman  often  pulls 
up  a  fish  and  to  it  is  attached  an  Octopus  which  has  seized  it  as  it  was  draggetl  near  its  retreat. 
It  oftentimes  seizes  the  bait  of  the  tishermau  and  is  brought  to  the  surface.  It  is  very  dillicult  to 
manage  a  large  individual,  as  the  arms  are  i)ulling  and  thrashing  in  every  direction.  The  native  en- 
deavors to  seize  the  animal  just  behind  the  head,  where  a  slight  s«;'ieeze  will  instantly  kill  it.  The* 
women  are  very  expert  in  this,  and  will  frequently  kill  those  of  such  size  that  the  men  will  hesi- 
tate to  struggle  with. 

The  gall  of  this  animal  is  dried  and  used  as  an  article  of  ])aint  for  canoe-paddles,  and  orna- 
mental stripes  on  their  garments.  The  gall  is  of  an  india-iiik  color;  has  a  lustrous  f'lcture,  and 
is  prepared  as  a  pigment  by  pounding,  or  grinding,  it  on  a  flat  stone  with  a  little  wat  <  t  is  applietl 
with  the  hand  and  well  rubbed  in.  After  an  hour  or  so  the  painted  surface  is  carefuily  oiled  with 
seal  or  other  animal  oil,  and  held  over  a  Are  to  allow  it  to  be  absorbed.  It  then  turns  a  dark  slaty 
black,  and  is  extremely  durable. 

This  animal  is  so  abundant  that  it  could  be  made  available  as  a  supjdy  of  bait  to  be  used  in 
catching  cod  and  other  fish. 
S.  Mis.  155 15 


■^"-",  ■    ^  ^« 


PAKT  V-JUKDS. 


|Tlic  iiiiiiibur  prccciliiig  the  muiio  corroHpoiulH  to  tUo  number  in  tlic  A.  ().  U.  Clu'ck-list  of  1.S80.J 

'J.  Coi.YMlM'H  IIOLIUKLMI  (Hciiili.).     llolbaiVs  (Irchc. 

TliiH  (irclto  JH  not  coninion  in  iiny  part  of  tlio  territory.  A  Hinfjlo  HiucMnicn  wiim  broiijjlit  to  nio 
from  lliis  Knaliolivim  Hivor,  acptt'inltor  10,  187(1,  by  Mr.  J.  \V.  (Maris,  wlio  inl'onncd  nic  tliat  tiiiM 
spi'cii'H  was  cxtroineiy  raio  in  tliat  locality.     It  froiincntH  tlio  lalvOH  and  tide  lagoons. 

Two  MpecimenH  were  obtained  at  Unalasliku  Island.  In  tliis  locality  tliey  are  to  be  found  tiidy 
in  the  winter  season,  and  are  not  at  all  eonimon. 

The  iris  is  blac^k ;  bill,  greenisli-liorn  ;  dusky  on  cnbnen  ami  toniial  edges;  lip  of  up  >er  nnin- 
dible,  black  ;  lower,  greenish ;  feet,  greenish  with  edges  of  scales  darkened  ;  ti[>s  of  toes  d,  i  k  ;  in- 
ner edges  of  lobes  dark  ;  claws  light-edged  ;  a  male,  No.  Iil7,  from  Umdashka,  December  1', ,  1H7.S. 
Another  specimen,  from  the  sanio  locality,  has  the  bill  dark  mi  base  of  eubnen  and  ogionof 
nostril,  otherwise  yellow  ;  feet  greenish-yellow  with  darker  limv.  through  centers  of  scales,  while 
the  scales  themselves  are  edged  with  brilliant  yellow. 

Several  specimens  of  CJrebes  were  observed  among  the  Aleutian  Islands,  but  it  was  beyond 
my  power  to  obtain  them.    The  Eskinu)  name  of  this  Cirebo  is  Ta  td  liik,  from  its  note  tatatu. 

3.  CoLYMiius  AURiTtis  Liuu.    Homed  Orehe. 

This  Grebe  is  occasionally  seen  in  the  neighborhood  of  Saint  Michael's;  more  often  in  spring 
or  fall.  In  the  interior  of  the  Yukon  District  it  is  common,  especially  along  the  tributaries  of  the 
Yukon.  At  Nuhito  ami  Fort  Yukon  it  is  said  to  breed  ;  although,  1  do  not  think  it  does  along  the 
coast  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's. 

Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  is  to  be  found  in  the  winter.  I  did  not  observe  it  there  in  the 
summer  and  at  no  time  to  the  westward  of  Unalashka  Isliind. 

This  species  prefers  the  fresh  bodies  of  water,  and  only  resorts  to  the  bays  ajul  estuaries  when 
the  fresh  water  is  frozen.    The  nesting  habits  of  this  spe(!ies  were  not  learned  by  me. 

The  iris  of  the  species  is  yellow,  culmen  black,  rest  of  bill  bright  yellow,  outer  side  of  tarsus 
and  under  side  of  web  blackish  ;  inner  side  of  tarsus,  toes,  and  lobes  bright  yellow,  with  faint 
greenish  tinge;  claws  dark. 

The  native  who  brought  nic  a  specimen  of  this  bird  had  no  name  for  it,  and  declared  it  was 
the  tirst  he  had  seen. 

At  Attn  Island  I  observed  a  Grebe,  which  I  suspected  was  this  species.  It  was  so  shy  tbat 
near  approach  was  impossible. 

7.  Urinator  imbeb  (Gnnn.).    Loon, 

This  Loon  occurs  but  sparingly,  according  to  my  own  exjierience,  along  the  Alaskan  shores.  I 
saw  three  individuals  at  once  in  the  vicinity  of  Cape  Newenham,  and  occasionally  an  individual  in 
the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.     I  failed  to  secure  8])ecimen8  of  it  for  preservation. 

8.  UuiNATOB  AUAMSii  (Gray).     Yellow-hilled  Loon. 
This  Loon  occurs  sparingly  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's. 

The  only  specimen  seen  by  me,  that  I  could  certainly  identify  a.  this  species,  was  killed  by  a 
native.    A  press  of  other  work  caused  me  to  delay  preparing  the  skii  until  it  was  too  late. 

115 


!.' 


116 


CONTUIHUTIOXS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HlSTOUY  OF  ALASKA. 


".).  Urinavob  aucticus  (1  inn.).     Bliukthroated  Loon. 

Tlio  Hlac-ktliroiiti'd  Loon  is  quite  comuion  nt  Siiiiit  MicbaoVs,  wlioro  it  arrives  by  tliii  nii<Ulioof 
Ma.v.  As  soon  ns  tlio  scaiee  is  n'ovetl  those  birds  resort  to  the  sea,  rarely  far  from  land.  Dnriiijj 
(lie  breeding  season  they  retire  to  the  smaller  lakes,  whose  mar<jii.s  are  hedg  :!  with  -a  {jrowth  oJI 
rankest  jjrass.  A  neat  was  known  to  be  in  a  i)oiid  some  distance  from  ihe  Redoubt.  1  went  there 
to  obtain  the  efjfjs.  The  parent  was  sitting  in  t'.e  pond  and  wouUl  not  tiy,  but  dove  and  swam 
round  in  t lie  water  and  seemed  much  distressed  by  onr  presence.  Several  siiots  were  fired  into 
her  betVne  she  was  killed.  They  are  extremely  teinie.ions  of  life;  and  when  they  are  killed  it  is 
only  after  the  body  is  riddled  with  shot. 

These  bivds  are  to  bo  found  amon-j  the  Aleutian  Islands  at  any  season  of  the  year.  At  Am- 
ehitka  Islam!  a  iiair  frequently  were  seen  in  the  bay,  dnriuR  the  nu)nt!i  of  June,  but  always  just  o»it, 
of  raiifie  for  a  shot. 

They  would  swim  up  and  down  the  bay  for  half  a  mile  and  return  by  the  .same  (bourse.  A  mi- 
tive  boy  finally  shot  one  of  them,  unknown  to  me  until  after  lie  had  jilucktMl  the  feathers  from  the 
body.     The  Aleuts  value  the  llesh  very  hi<;hly,  but  admit  that  it  is  u.i.-;h. 

.Many  years  a;;o  the  natives  of  8aint  JMiehael's  vicinity  made  use  of  tiie  skins  of  this  species  for 
a  iMimber  of  purposes.  1  have  seen  liiem  convcrtetl  into  a  sort  of  work  liafi;  in  which  small,  but 
valuable  tools  were  kept.  Tiie  skin  in  such  a  cast,  is  cut  down  the  back  and  (he  llcsh  renu)ve<l. 
The  skin  is  then  dried  by  bein<i  worn  on  the  lieail  of  the  jiersoi.  owuinf;  it.  Another  i>uri)()se  for 
which  it  is  used  is  to  form  a  recei)ta-  Ic  for  the  bunch  of  liiu'  shaviiifjs  whii  h  are  tied  toKclher  and 
serve  as  a  lleshbrush  while  takinti  a  bath;  and,  for  this  reason,  it  is  just  as  well  to  ask  what  is  in 
it  before  investipiting  its  contents  on  your  own  account,  as  these  p-eople  have  but  little  soap  and 
employ  sometliin}:;  else,  in  lieu  of  it. 

On  the  Lower  Yukon  Hi vev  is  a  village  called  by  the  Kussians  Ijnynru  *S7/«//^((,  and  means  Loon 
("ap,  on  account  of  the  natives  wearing'  the  skins  of  thesis  birtls  ascajis. 

The  '"^imo  name  of  this  siiecics  is  Tu  C  Oil:,  and  is  derived  I'om  the  note  too  cc — a  most  dis- 
mal sor.  .  '    ■  .ird  in  the  stillness  of  the  night. 

](».  IIRINATOB  PACiFious  (Lawr.).     I'dcijir  Loon. 

A  siiigK  specimen  of  this  Diver  was  obtained  August  L'.'i,  1S7(>,  at  M.ilnt  Michael's.  It  is  not 
coaimon,  and  was  not  recognized  to  a  certainty  at  any  other  time.  This  specimen  was  an  adult 
fennile  and  had  just  passed  the  breeding  so.ison.  Where,  or  how,  tlii.,  bird  breeds  i«  iinknown  to 
me. 

This  species  wasobservcd  in  Chiehagoi  '.arbor,  Attn  Islaml,  in  the  winter  of  ISSK-'M.  1  «li(l 
not  observe  them  there  at  any  other  season  of  the  year  in  the  vicinity  of  Attn;  yet  they  breed  in 
c'Uisiderable  ni"'Mbert'  on  the  low  grounds  of  Semiclii. 

11.  TinNATOK  M'MMK  (Gunu.).     Retlfhroatcd  Toon 

The  lU'd  thi'oated  l)i\er  is  quitt'  abundant  throughout  the  Tenitoiy.  It  is  common  among 
the  tributaries  of  the  Yukon  Kiver. 

This  Diver  arrives  by  the  L'Oth  of  May,  and  immediately  lepaivs  to  the  lagoons  and  grassy 
lakes  wiiere  it  breeds.     It  renniins  until  late  in  September. 

They  obtain  much  of  their  food  from  the  sea.  They  consume  anndl  fish,  whi»'.h  they  obtain  by 
diving.  They  are  very  watchful  and  rely  more  on  their  ability  to  csca|)e  danger  by  diving  than 
by  tlying.  When  about  to  dive  they  draw  the  lu^ail  and  lu'cU  back,  throw  the  body  forward 
with  a  plunge,  or  else,  when  surprised,  '^hey  quietly  sink  in  the  water  in  such  niiUMier  as  to  leave 
scarcely  a  lipple  on  the  surf'a(;e. 

Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  thissivcies  is  quite  abundant.  It  breeds  in  nearly  all  the  islands 
of  the  chain.     Ai  Atklia  sevc;:'.!  pairs  were  known  to  breed  amoTig  the  lakes  on  the  highest  hills. 

Several  ytnuig  of  this  bird  were  brought  to  me,  while  at  Atklia  in  187!»,  but  want  of  time,  w  hen 
1  receive*!  them,  caused  me  to  put  them  in  an  (mt-building.  The  next  day  I  went  to  look  for  them, 
and  found  thai  ;!>•'  rats  had  carried  them  otf  during  th    night. 

When  the  yo.mg  birds  are  not  yet  able  to  accompany  the  jjarents  the  latter  feed  them  on 
tmall  flsh  fry  from  the  sea.    A  pair  which  had  nested  a  couple  of  miles  back  of  the  village  afc 


CONTRI MOTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAIj  IlISTOHY  OF  ALASKA. 


117 


Na/.aii  Hiiy,  on  Atkliii  Isliuid,  attnwtod  my  attention  early  mory  iiioiiiiiijr  by  tlioir  liarsli,  wick- 
ling  notes  as  the  jiaront  llmv  toward  the  bay  to  obtain  food.  I  oinleavonMl  to  discoviM-  whentie  tlio 
parent  came,  and  i)08ted  myself  near  the  track  it  nsnally  Hew,  but  the  interveninj;  hills  pnv 
vented  me  from  detecting  *'ie  locality.  1  could  not  but  observe  the  regularity  with  which  the 
morning  visit  wiw  made  to  the  bay      It  never  varied  ten  minutes  from  H  o'clock  a.  ni. 

The  tlesh  of  this  bird  is  conside.ed  palatable  by  many  of  the  Aleuts  and  most  of  tho  iteoide 
near  Saint  Michael's. 

Tliis  species  renniins  anion},  the  Aleutian  Islands  tho  entire  year,  but  less  in  winti'r  than  in 
summer. 

Quite  a  number  of  these  Loons  brood  on  Somichi  and  Agattu,  of  the  Nearer  (iroup, 

12.  Linda  oiiiiiArA  I'all.     Tuflcd  Piiifhi. 

The  Tufted  rullin  is  common  in  the  neighborhood  of  Haint  jMichael's,  though  hert^  not  more  than 
one- third  in  nuMd)er(H)mpan'(l  with  F.  coniiciilala.  W  some  of  the  localities  south  of  the  Kavyj'iyak 
reuinsula  these  birds  abound.  On  the  outer  side  of  Whale  Island,  near  Saint  IMichael'.s,  they  are 
more  plentiful  than  elsewhere,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.  A  nund)er  of  pairs 
breed  on  th(>  littU'  ninnd  island. just  outside  of  Whale  Island,  to  the  right  of  the  entrance  to  Saint 
Michael's.  A  few  also  breed  on  lOgg  Island,  to  the  northward  of  the  entrance  to  the  liarbor.  .\t  ^'ap^^ 
Newenham  but  few  of  these  birds  w<'re  seen  in  comparison  lo  the  iiumiier  of  /•'.  corniciilata,  wilh 
whifli  tlie.\  aie  generally  associated.  Along  the  northern  shores  of  the  Aliaskan  I't-ninsula  they 
were  seen  i!!  considerable  i.iiinber.s,  as  they  were  also  at  the  l*ribyIol'(ii(iu|>,  Saint  Matthew'-!  and 
Saint  Lawrence  Islands.  Among  the  .Meiitiaii  Islands,  and  on  tlu^  south  side  of  Aliaska,  with 
adjaceni  i^jlands,  tliesn  rullins  are  found  in  great  nunibers.  Sonit'  of  the  islands  atVord  lieller 
locations  for  breediiig,and  these  are  resorted  to  by  inciredible  numbers  of  these  birds.  Their  f.Kid 
consists  of  molluviks  and  other  marine  food,  suiOi  as  small  tish. 

The  nesting  habi.s'.  of  this  L'ullin  resemble  those  of  the  Horned  Putlin.  My  own  obser\ati'»'is 
show  that  the  former  prefer  the  clilYs  and  edges  of  blulVs  overgrown  vvith  grass,  which  has  made 
an  acciimnlatioii  of  soil  on  the  tops  and  edges  of  some  bliitVs  to  a  depth  of  Si'veral  feet.  This  soil 
is  a  perfect  network  of  holes  and  burrows  of  these  birds.  That  species  of  grass  usually  grows  in 
large  tussock.--  and  the  falliiij';  stalks  and  blades,  overlai)i)ing  the  other  tussocks,  form  acouvenii'iil 
retreat  for  thesi'  birds,  and  d'libtless  the  grass  is  of  ranker  growth,  due  to  the  e,xcrcineiit  of  these 
biids  coming  almost  in  contact  with  the  grass  roots.  It  is  not  witnout  danger  to  attei.i)  t  to  walk 
among  lliese  tussocks,  as  ilu'ir  roots  arc'  not  strong,  for  the  least  misstep  would  precipitate  the 
person  many  feet  below. 

Tho  nest  is  usually  tlu'  bare  earth,  whereon  a  single  egg  is  laid.  The  young  tuke  to  the  water 
before  being  able  to  Hy.     The  ])arent  bird  assists  the  young  to  the  water. 

The  adult  bird  may  be  found  many  miles  from  land.  'I'hey  probably  visit  certain  hicalilies 
iHr  otf  in  searc^h  of  food. 

Durine;  perli-r'fiy  calm  weather  they  exiu'rience  great  dilliculty  in  rising  from  the  water,  but 
will  tlop  and  kiclw  along  the  surface  for  many  rods  and  suddenly  drop.  \'»  hen  alighting  <m  (he 
water  they  usually  uive  under  the  surlace  for  a  few  feet.  They  are  exi>ert  divers,  and  when 
wounded  are  dillicult  to  obtain  n.;cil  life  is  extinct.  They  are  extrcMiely  Ticious  when  caught,  and 
witii  tl'.eir  powerful  Jaws  they  (tan  intlict  a  severe  wound,  not  relaxing  their  hold  until  the  beak  is 
pried  apart.  Their  claws  are  extremely  sharp,  and  scratch  deep!.  Mito  the  hand,  inllictirig  painlnl 
wounds.  Tlie  skin  of  this  bud  is  \ery  tough  ;  and,  as  the  iilimnge  is  nearly  uniform  i.i  color, 
thef.o  rutlins  iire  much  sought  for  by  the  natives,  who  ust^  th  .i  tkins  to  (convert  into  articles  of 
clothing. 

While  tho  nativisare  on  the  summer  hunt  for  sea  (titers  they  improve  tho  days  unfavorabhi  for 
that  ])ursuit  in  visiting  the  breeding  lo(;alities  of  the  Tufted  and  Horned  Pullliis,  to  catch  them  for 
their  skins.  The  ham!  is  iisuall\  tuolected  wilh  a  leathern  glove  of  sealskin,or  else  a  coat  slee\c 
is  wrapped  around  on  the  hand.  Tliebird  makes  little  attempt  loavoid  captuu',but  holdsby  Ihe  beak 
to  the  jierson,  and  uses  its  feet  to  best  advantage,  'i'lu^  natixcs  endeavor  to  catch  the  bird  by  tht^ 
wing,  as  the  claws  are  then  used  to  retard  the  bird  being  withdrawn  from  its  (!revi(!e  or  hole,  and, 
besides,  iu  tho  struggle,  if  tUu  bird  should  bo  taken  by  the  body  the  feathers  might  be  pulled  out. 


*  J 


ill 


«w>  iij^i4f  witiip>!||i,  m  fgfmym 


i  ■; 


i    : 


118 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TUB  NATURAL  OISTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


f 


As  800U  as  tlio  bird  is  captured  tlio  natlvo  I'itlior  breaks  the  small  of  tlio  binl's  bat-.k,  or  else  bites 
it  ill  the  head.  Thislatt'r  method  is  ])referre(l  for  killing  all  kinds  of  large  birds,  and  is  more 
j)racticed  by  the  Aleuts,  while  I  lie  noil  hern  people  break  the  back  of  the  bird.  When  the  native 
returns  home  with  a  snfllicieut  number  of  birds  for  his  own  and  family  necessity,  the  labor  of  taking 
out  the  flesh  begins.  The  beak  is  cut  off  just  at  the  edge  of  the  feathers,  the  meat,  bones,  and 
overything  else  inside  of  the  skin  must  come  out  at  that  hole.  The  viiigs  are  carefully  drawn  un- 
til the  humeruh  can  be  dislocated  from  the  body.  The  wing  is  then  cut  off.  Tlio  skin  is  now 
turned  inside  out  and  the  larger,  adherent  jiartides  of  llesh  and  fat  are  removed.  The  skins  mo 
then  hung  up  to  dry  until  the  severe  weather  of  winter  tomj)cls  the  women  to  remain  within 
doors.  A  certain  liquid  has  been  saved  up  for  a  considerable  timenntil  it  acquires  a  intolerableodor. 
The  skins  are  theTi  soaked  in  this  liipiid  until  the  oiliiiess  and  fatty  parts  are  removed  from 
the  skins,  and  if  the  person  is  able  to  purchase  soap  the  skins  arc  then  washed  in  a  strong  suds. 
If  not  washed  in  soapy  water  it  matters  little,  as  the  greater  i>art  of  the  odor  is  removed  by  wash- 
ing in  some  convenient  creek  until  the  person  is  tired,  which  occurs  before  long  engaged.  The 
skins  are  then  hung  up  to  dry.  After  that  llic  skins  are  carefully  scraped ;  and  the  tougher  parts 
chewed  between  the  teeth  to  make  them  jdiable.  An  Aleut  woman  will  go  on  a  visit  to  a  neigh- 
bor to  have  a  Chypect,  or  tea  party  ;  in  the  intervals  of  drink  and  gossip  a  bird-skin  will  be  drawn 
from  beneatli  the  folds  other  garment;  and,  she  will  then  as  complacently  chew  the  skin  as  one  of 
our  cointry  dames  will  draw  out  her  knitting  and  pipe  to  while  away  the  time. 

The  number  of  skins  used  for  a  iKirha,  or  long  gown-like  garment,  with  or  without  a  hood,  is 
variable,  according  to  the  si/e  and  height  of  the  wearer.  A  common-sized  man  requires  the  skins 
of  forty-tivo  birds  of  the  I'uthn  kind.  The  women  and  children  retpiire  less.  Forty-flve  skins  are 
usually  bundled  together  and  rated  as  one  parka. 

The  parka  is  worn  with  the  feathers  inside;  and,  when  the  garment  is  new,  makes  the  wearer 
quite  conspicuous.  The  skins  are  cut  down  the  back,  leaving  a  straight  edge,  to  which  another  is 
sewed  until  the  required  length  is  obtained.  On  the  edge  of  this  strij)  another  strip  is  added. 
This  will  be  heavy  and  inconvenient  in  sewing,  so  another  jyair  of  strips  are  sewed  together  until 
the  desired  height  of  the  garment  is  obtained.  The  arm  pieces  are  made  sejiarately,  and  are  the 
last  to  be  sewed  on.  The  edges  of  ^lie  collar  and  sleeve  are  bound  with  cloth  to  prevent  tearing. 
The  flesh  side  of  the  skin  is  then  ornamented  with  strijies  of  j)aint  of  various  colors,  such  as 
vermilion,  green,  blue,  or  black.  Hefore  the  introduction  of  dry  paints  the  natives  used  various 
colored  rocks,  which  they  powdered  up  and  mixed  with  blood  of  the  raven  or  other  land-bird,  and 
applied  it  for  ornamental  purposes.  A  parka  is  exjtected  to  last  for  two  years;  but,  in  the  soot- 
begrimed  houses,  it  soon  becomes  a  receptacle  for  all  dirt.  The  parka  may  be  washed  in  water 
occasionally;  and,  I  believe  this  is  only  done  when  it  Ixjomes  so  infested  with  vermin  that  the 
owner  is  afraid  to  put  it  down  for  fear  it  will  w.dk  off.  A  washed  parka  of  nearly  two  yea'-s  old 
\i  a  sorry-looki"g  object.  The  long  feathers  are  by  that  time  mostly  fallen  oft'.  A  few  j/atches  of 
down  and  skin  are  about  all  that  remain. 

Before  t!ie  advent  of  the  Ilussians  and  the  introduction  of  civilized  clothing  this  i)arka  was 
the  only  garment  worn  by  the  Aleuts,  and  is  now  quite  exicii'sively  used  by  the  Attn  ineii  and 
women. 

14.  Fratekcula  corniculata  (Naum.).    Horned  Puffin. 

The  Horned  PuflBn  is  abundant  on  all  the  shore  line  of  Alaska  p  -nth  of  the  Arctic  circle;  and, 
ii.  favored  localities  it  abounds  in  incredible  ii'iinbers.  Their  favorite  resorts  on  land  are  the  high, 
precijiitous  walls  of  rock,  which  face  the  sea,  or  else  the  small  islets  which  have  their  bases  composed 
of  immense  blocks  of  rocks  thrown  irregularly  together. 

At  Saint  Michael's  Island  there  are  but  few  places  art'ording  suitable  locations  for  them.  On 
Whale,  Stewart's  and  Round  Island,  in  that  neighborhood,  the  al.mpt  nature  of  their  outlines 
form  convenient  harbors  for  this  bird;  hence  they  frc()iient  those  places  in  considerable  numbers. 

AtCapeNeweuham,on  the  northern  side  of  Bristol  Bay,  I  saw  these  birds  in  countless  thousands 
in  June,  1878.  They  were  constantly  flying  from  the  sea  to  the  higher  parts  of  that  bold  cape. 
A  few  days  after  I  saw  them  quite  as  plentifully  in  toward  the  head  of  Tugiak  Bay.  Later  in 
that  mouth  I  saw  them  in  thousands  near  AmAk  Island,  just  north  of  the  western  end  of  the  renin- 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


119 


sula  of  ^liaska.  This  is  the  beginning  of  the  area  of  their  greatest  abundance.  All  the  Ahuitian 
Islands,  with  their  adjacent  islets,  form  an  cast  and  west  extension  of  a  continuous  breeding 
ground  of  these  birds  for  over  a  thousand  miles  in  length.  The  Pnbylof  Group,  Saint  Mathcw's 
Island  and  Saint  Lawrence  Island  are  also  great  breeding  places  of  these  Puflius 

Their  nests  are  placed  on  the  ledges  of  the  highest  dirt's  of  those  islands  where  foxes  are  found, 
and  on  islands  where  foxes  are  not  found  these  birds  breed  generally  at  the  bases  of  bhitti,,  un- 
der the  large  rocks  which  have  become  detached  and  fallen  down.  Their  nest  is  composed  of  Just 
whatever  .  ippeus  to  be  there,  be  it  sticks,  stones,  or  earth.  A  few  feathers  may  be  dropped  from 
the  bird,  but  not  for  an  evident  purpose  of  nest  construction.  A  single  egg  of  clear  white  color 
is  laid  on  the  bare  gravel  or  earth.  The  egg  is  very  large  for  t}ie  size  of  the  bird,  and  when  cooked 
is  tolerable  eating.  The  bird  sits  long  at  a  time  on  the  egg,  and  does  not  leave  it  until  hunger  com- 
pels her  to  seel:  food.  Their  food  is  composed  of  mollusks  of  various  kinds,  a  few  shreds  of  cer- 
tain sea- weed  fronds,  and  larvix;,  which  iire  abundant  on  some  of  these  sea- weeds. 

The  young  leave  the  nest  before  being  able  to  tiy.  The  j)arcnt  asJsts  them  to  the  water;  and, 
should  they  have  been  reared  on  the  face  of  a  high  blurt',  the  old  bird  catches  the  young  one  by 
the  wing  and  they  flutter  at  a  long  angle  to  tlie  water.  The  old  bird  endeavors  lo  keep  under  the 
young  one.  I  have  seen  them  drop  their  young  accidentally  and  causo  great  consternation  of  the 
parent,  which  could'not  check  her  flight  immediately,  but  returned  and  showed  great  solicitude  by 
turning  the  young  one  over  and  over  in  the  wpter  to  see  if  it  was  injured.  During  severe  storms 
the  young  are  taken  to  the  lee  of  sone  reef  or  islet  until  the  waves  become  quiet. 

Early  in  the  morning  these  birds  quit  the  shores  and  go  out  to  sea  to  hunt  their  food. 
Late  in  the  afternoon  they  return.  For  several  hours  these  birds  keep  a  constant  stream  on  the  way. 
They  frequently  go  many  miles  from  land,  and  should  a  fog  prevail  they  return  with  unerriiigcor- 
tain*y  to  thtir  particular  locality  This  rullin  is  constantly  .associated  with  L.  cirrhata,  ami,  in 
general  habits,  agree  witii  it,  tluiiigh  tiie  former  is  more  dirticult  to  obtain.  The  skins  of  this  bird 
are  used  to  a  great  extent  in  making  articles  of  clotiiing  for  some  of  the  western  Aleuts  and  some 
of  the  natives  near  the  Yukon  Delta  and  southward. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  Pufliu  is  Ka  tu'kh  puk,  and  signifies  Big  white-breast. 

IG.  Ptvciiokami'iius  aleutious  (Pall.).     Casuhi's  Attklef. 
A  si)ecimen  of  this  Anklet  was  obtained  at  Atkha  Island,  June  2.'^.  fSTO.    The  binl  was  brought 
by  a  (isherman  who  lives  at  Old  Harbor,  on  the  northeast  end  of  AtKIm  Island,    lb-  ri'port<'d  fMs 
species  to  bo  not  abundant,  yet  common  and  l)rei'ding  there. 


Vriioiiy:  the  Aleutian 
IN  not  soi'labie,  being 


17.  CYCLOUUIIVNCIIUS  I'SITTACULUS  (Pall.).      I'liroqin     Auklet. 
No  specimen  of  this  Auklet  was  obtained  or  .seen  at  Saint  .^lichad's 

Islands  it  is  abundant,  and  breeds  in  all  suitable  places  along  tin*  chain, 
rarely  .seen  in  tlocks  of  more  than  three  or  four,  and  more  often  solitary. 

This  species  is  more  abundant  among  the  central  portions  of  the  A'.eulian  chain  than  else- 
where,  and  is  plentiful  on  Agatlu  Island;  rare  on  the  other  islands  of  that  group,  Ihon^li  not 
resident. 

18.  SiMOBiiVNcnrs  oristatki.i.us  (Pall.),     (hrstrd  Auklet. 

The  ('rested  Auklet  was  observed  on  two  occasions  at  .Saint  Michael's.  It  is  very  rare  in  that 
immediate  vicinity,  though  it  doubtless  occurs  in  other  localities  near  that  place. 

At  Bristol  Bay  and  on  the  northern  side  of  A  ""ska  I  saw  numbers  of  t'lese  birds. 

Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  this  Auk  is  extremely  abundant.    They  .fsort  to  thr  ng 

islets  and  rocks  away  from  the  larger  bodies  of  land. 

I  failed  to  obtain  their  eggs,  for  the  rea.son  that  the  nest  is  placed  far  under  huge  rocks,  or  in 
the  deep,  inaccessible  crevices. 

This  species  remains,  in  few  numbers,  among  the  waters  surrounding  the  .Aleutian  Islands,  but 
in  the  summer  season  is  greatly  more  numerous,  es])ecially  so  anuuig  the  mor(>  western  islands. 

The  iris  is  white,  feet  dusky,  bill  crimson  with  a  horn-blue  tij*.  The  colors  of  the  bill  become 
intensilied  upon  drying. 


^1 


120 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


The  note  of  this  bud  is  a  peculiar  grunt  of  two  or  three  sjilables.  It  is  impossible  to  repre- 
sent the  sound  by  any  combination  of  letters. 

In  former  years  when  the  Aleuts  of  one  village  or  Island  made  war  on  their  neighbors  the  early 
morning  notes  of  this  bird  indicated  to  the  people  the  time  of  day  for  making  an  attack. 

The  Eskimo  of  Norton  Sound  use  the  red  prnf^psses  at  the  base  of  the  bill  of  this  bird  to  attach 
to  the  flshlines  to  attract  the  flsh. 

19.  SiMOEHYNcnus  PYOMi"5US  (Gmel.).     W  hislered  Aulkt.    [See  IMato  I.J 

Three  specimens  of  this  Auklot  were  obtained  at  Atkha  Island,  .lune  12,  1879.  Two  of  them 
were  adult  males  in  the  breeding  i)luiuage  'uid  one  in  the  downy  stage. 

They  were  brought  to  me  by  a  native,  who  had  killed  them  near  the  base  of  Korovins.y 
volcano. 

They  were  reported  to  be  common  in  that  neighborhood. 

I  saw  several  individuals  near  the  outer  islet  at  the  entrance  to  Nazan  Bay,  on  Atkha  Island. 
They  were  not  recognized  in  any  other  part  of  the  Aleutian  Chain,  excepting  on  the  Nearer  (iroup, 
where  they  were  quite  abundant. 

The  summer  plumage  of  the  adult  male  is  dark  slate  on  head,  nape,  back,  and  wings.  Tiie 
shoulders  have  an  obscnre  bronzy  sha«le,  the  tip  of  the  wings  becoming  lighter.  The  throat  is  a 
little  lighter  than  the  head  and  fades  to  light  grayish  on  tiie  abdomen.  The  tuft  on  the  head 
consists  of  live  to  seven  lilamentous  feathers,  ef  eolor  of  head,  curved  forward  so  that  their  tips 
hang  directly  over  the  tij)  of  the  bill.  These  feathers,  which  form  the  tuft,  beeonie  lighter  in  color 
according  to  age  of  the  individual.  In  front  of  the  eye  and  above  the  angle  of  tiie  month  three 
Ulamentous  feathers  of  pure  white  point  diieetly  backward.  These  form  the  upjicr  angle  of  a  V- 
slmped  white  patch,  which  has  its  forward  angle  beginning  at  the  base  ol'  the  upjier  nnmdibie. 
The  other  branch  continues  back  of  the  rictus  and  terminates  in  white  lilaments,  which  extend 
back  the  same  distance  as  the  terminal  lilanients  of  the  upper  branch.  Heiiind  the  eye  is  a  while 
narrow  stripe,  consisting  of  several  very  long,  white  tiiaments,  the  longer  of  wiiicli  extend  about 
half  an  inch  beyond  the  shoulders  when  the  bird  is  sitting  on  the  water. 

The  young  in  the  downy  stage  is  of  dark,  sooty-brown,  somewhat  lighter  on  the  abdomen. 

In  the  atlult  the  bill  is  deep  vermilion,  with  bluish  tip.  The  feet,  toes,  •vcli  antl  claws  dark. 
Iris  black.    In  the  young  tfie  bill  and  feet  are  dusky. 

20.  SiMOBHYNOHUS  PUSiLLUS  (Pall.).    Lcost  Auklet. 

Many  individuals  of  this  Auklet  were  seen  while  I  was  on  a  sailing  vessel  tniv«'lling  from  one 
place  to  another  among  the  Aleutian  Islands.  TL  s  species  occurs  along  the  entire  chain,  and  as 
far  east  as  Kiuliak.  On  the  north  side  of  Aliaska  I  observed  it  only  in  the  vicinity  of  Aiuiik 
Island,  near  the  western  end  of  the  peninsula  of  Aliaska. 

In  1874  I  observed  it  in  abundance  near  Saint  Mathew's  Island. 

Tills  bird  does  not  come  near  the  present  settlements  on  the  Aleutian  Islands,  while  at  Saint 
(leorge's  Island,  of  the  Pribylof  Group,  it  is  wonderfully  abundant  almost  in  tiie  village. 

They  are  very  active  while  on  the  water,  and  disappear  like  a  llasli  when  lliey  di\i  JJoar 
Semichi  and  Atkha  I  observed  quite  a  number  of  these  little  birds  sitting  on  the  water. 

21.  Synthlibobhamphus  ANTiyuus  (Gmel.).    Ancient  Murrclet. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  bird  was  obtained  at  Atkha  Island,  June  12,  1879.  It  was  brought 
to  me  by  a  native,  who  had  shot  it  at  the  base  of  Korovinsky  volcano,  on  the  northeast  end  of 
Atkha  Island. 

Upon  inipiiry  I  was  informed  that  these  birds  are  plentiful  in  that  locality,  and  breed  in  holes 
tnade  in  the  turf,  or  sod,  overhanging  the  brow  of  the  dills. 

Among  the  Nearer  Islands  this  Murrelet  is  abundant  in  summer,  breeding,  and  is  sparingly 
resident;  rarely  coming  to  Attn,  but  more  plentiful  on  the  western  end  of  Semichi  and  the  south 
side  of  Agattu. 

24.  Bhaohybamphus  kittlitzii  (Brandt).    XittUtz'a  Ouillemot.    [See  Plate  II.] 
A  single  specimen  of  Kittlitz's  Guillemot  was  obtained  April  24, 1879,  at  lliuliuk  village  ou 


I. 


PLATE 


^''jK, 


K>- 


{^  4v-"V  *«»  ij;  ^''  ■^■^^i' 


V*. 


i. "    -xn,*" 


w»^T/: 


SIMC'^MV^i.Mi;: 


^CMt:       A     .. 


:';!•■:     N  '■    r :    ;  -f 


( •/ 


I 


i. 


.r    t;.,!,M- 


I     '       ' 


I  .1   : 


-    -I 


PLATE 


'^ 


%     I 


SIMORHYNCHUS  PYGM/EUS     (Gmel.)  Adult,  Breeding  Plumage. 


:      1 


**-»-, 


PLATE  II. 


Ill 


I 


Iji 


i\ 


i  ■» 


iits  i"H9*  LiBliri  •n.hr.Ni)  cc  n 


I 


i    i'f 

i 

■  ■>; 

■■I 

I 


BRACHYRAMPHUS  KITTLITZII     (Brandt).    Adult,  Winter  Plumage. 


■  t 


pr-y-^  'WW  ^^  '^wiM".wti'   '  ■» *j w'  *«•" 


i4i«Wf'' 


lit 


\    •■ 


OONTIllBnTIONR  TO  TFIK  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


121 


UiitiliiHlikii  iHltiiitl.  It  WI18  tlic  iin),v  iMir  NH'ii  ill  tliat  loimlity.  The  iiativi'  wlio  hioiiKht  it  to  mo 
HNHiTli'il  tliat  tliiH  K|)m;i«>N  iHiibiiiMliint  tlii'iiu<;li(>iit  the  year  at  Saniiakli  IslaiuL  Tlioy  breed  there, 
laying  a  NiiiKle,  |nire  white  ef;K-  'll>e  nest  \h  placed  ainoiif;  the  rootM  otihe  hiip^  tiiHHO(;kH0t'(;i'i(><^ 
on  the  I'dfreN  of  hliitt'M  and  elitt'  led};es. 

1  oliMerveil  neveral  of  theHe  liirdK  to  the  wcNtward  of  (Jnahishka  Island.  They  are  not  rare  on 
Ainehitka  Island,  and  in  the  nei^flihorhood  of  tht«  Old  lliirhor,  on  Atkha  Island. 

The  sjieeinien  olitained  hy  me  was  in  the  winter  ]>lnmii),'e  of  the  lollowin;;  pattorn  : 

Forehead,  top  ami  back  of  head  dark  itlninbiMins,  i):ick,  rnmp,  and  nppei  tail  ( overls  plniabe- 
oiiN.  The  feathers  of  the  middle  baek  and  whole  of  the  rnmp  tipped  very  narrowly  with  white- 
Tail  dusky,  tipped  narrowly  with  white.  VVinjjs  dusky  slate.  Secondaries  and  frreater  eoverts 
narrowly  tipp»>d  with  white.  Scapulars  (ihieHy  white,  forniinfir  a  bioad.  longitudinal  stripe.  \  nar- 
row, wliite  collar  round  hind  neck  scarcely  interrupted  in  inifldle  portion.  .\  bioad,  transverse 
Hpace  of  iiniforin  slate  color  on  each  side  of  lireast,  separated  by  less  than  an  inch  of  white  between 
them.  liOies, su))er(riliary  and  suiuaaiiriculnr  regions,  with  rest  of  h  -ad  and  neck  and  entire  lower 
parts,  pure  white. 

Hill  black,  feet  weak,  pale  Itluc  in  front  and  darker  posteriorly.    Olaws  and  iris  black. 

The  followiii};  ineasniements  were  taken.  Lenfjth,  f(.7.");  win^',  .'».l.'»;  bill,  I;  ricitus,  I ;  farsus,  .5  j 
iniddhf  toe,  '.)'>.  A  comparison  of  this  species  with  that-  of  H.  marmortifKn  shows  tlic  winter  ]>luinage 
of  the  latter  to  be:  Forehead,  sides,  top  and  back  of  head  dusty  slate;  back  and  iiinip  pluiubcouH, 
each  feather  of  the  back  narrowly  tii)ped  with  white;  tail,  slate;  win;j;s,  dark  slate,  the  reniifjes 
deciiledly  darker.  The  secondaries  and  jjreater  coverts  tipi)ed  with  a  narrow  edjre  of  wliite. 
Scapulars  white,  forinin;i  a  broad  lon(;itndinal  stripe.  Heneath  pure  white.  While  collar  inter- 
rnpted,  for  'learly  half  an  inch,  on  back  of  neck.  Measurements  show:  Lenjitli,  Kt.li;  win^',  4  9; 
bill,  .8;  riutUH,  L3;  tarsns,  .78;  middle  toe,  1.1. 

28.  Ceppiius  MANUTii  (Licht.).     MawWH  (hdUemot. 

The  Black  Ouillemot occurs  rarely  at  Saint  Michael's;  only  twospecimens  were  olitained  there. 
One  of  them  was  shot  Febrnary  1,  1875,  after  a  severe  storm  had  moved  the  i<('. 

It  was  obtained  by  a  native,  who  shot  it  as  it  sat  in  a  crevii-o  of  the  ice.  It  was  in  the  winter 
])1nmage.  The  setiond  specimen  was  obtained  late  in  March  of  I87r>,  far  out  at  sea  beyond  Slew  ait's 
Island,  and  juocnied  also  by  a  native,  who  was  out  sealing;. 

I  know  nothing  of  the  {general  habits  of  this  bird.  It  was  not  ob.servcfl  at  any  other  place 
along  the  coast,  or  on  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

The  bill  and  iris  are  black,  mouth  crimson,  ftvt  red. 

29.  Ceppiius  ooi.umba  (Pall.).     Vujcon  Guillemnt. 

This  Guillemot  occurs  sparingly  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.  Around  the  northeast  einl 
of  the  island  of  Saint  Michael's  and  near  Whale  Island  a  few  may  be  seen  after  tin'  ice  has  left  the 
shores.  It  breeds  on  the  little  islet  near  Whale  Island.  I  could  not  obtain  the  eggs,  be(;ause  they 
were  too  far  under  the  huge  blocks  of  stone  at  its  base. 

Ac  'Jape  Newenham  I  obsei\((l  numbers  of  these  birds  in  June,  187S. 

This  species  is  abundant  at  some  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  It  freiinents  the  saiall  islets  otf 
shore  and  u-  rather  shy,  permitting  no  reasonable  aiii)roa(rh.  The  only  way  I  could  obtain  them 
was  to  watch  iVoin  the  top  of  some  blutl'and  shoot  them  as  they  sat  below.  They  utter  only  one 
note,  a  sharj),  ringing  ^(^we^  When  sitting  on  the  water  they  ride  buoyantly,  and  rise  without 
diflHculty.  This  siiecies  is  not  abundant  at  the  extreme  western  Aleutian  Islands;  but  few  were 
seen  at  Attn,  though  in  the  neighborhood  of  Agattu  an<l  the  Semiclii  Islands  they  are  nn)re  i)lenti- 
fill,  and  not  observed  in  winter.  On  the  south  side  of  Aliaska,  and  adjacent  islands,  I  saw  numbers 
of  these  birds. 

Oft' to  the  north  of  Umnak  Island,  about  twenty  miles  distant,  lies  the  recently  ui)heaved  island, 
named  Bogoslov;  here  I  saw  thousands  of  these  Guillemots  in  1881,  as  I  passed  it.  The  i.sland 
seemed  to  be  one  of  the  principal  breeding  grounds  of  this  s])ecies,  as  they  were  here  in  such  num- 
bers in  June. 

The  uiouth  and  feet  of  this  bird  are  bright  red ;  claws,  bill,  and  iris  black.    The  Eskimo  name 
of  this  Guillemot  is  I'i  tUk. 
S.  Mis.  155 16 


Is 


i 


\     ! 


li 


122 


CONTltmUTlONS  TOTUK  NATUUAL  UISTORYOF  ALASKA. 


30rt.  TTria  timiIM'.  caijI'ohnk'A  (Hrviiiif).     Cali/ornin  Murre. 

Tlip  Cnlilorniii  liiiillt'iimt  (kmmiim  Mpaiiiinl.v  iuiinnjr  tlm  plact'i*  iCHortt'd  to  It.v  ''.  lomria  ntni,  atul 
iR  HO  intiiiintt'ly  iisNociatcd  with  tliat  N|K>ci«*N,  in  iii(i(l(>  of  lit'(>,  i\n  to  chII  for  no  m'puiitto  ilcxi^iption. 
The  only  (lifVcn-nct'  in  IIm'  hinls  is  the  (■liaiiictcr  of  tlic  l>iil. 

I  iini  not  a\vai«>  of  tiic  cxtrcin)'  nortli)  rn  ran^c  of  tiiiH  spocicH;  tliiH  conltl  )>«'  ilt'lcnniiMMl  only 
by  an  intliNcriniiinit»>  slannlitciof  ail  tlic  j.'onnNol)tainal»U«.  I  iliti  not  jtrocnn'  it  -it  Saint  Miolnn  !'«, 
but  ol)8Prv»'il  it  as  far  nuilli  as  Saint  Mntlnnv's  Island. 

'Ma.  TJhia  i.omvia  AurtA  (rail.).     PnllaM'n  Mnrri'. 

Pallas'.s  (iuillcniot  iirri\i'.^  at  Saint  Mi<^liat'rM  as  soon  as  thr  ico  lias  moved  snflicit'ntly  lo  sliow 
wntor  in  tlio  cracks  or  alxnit  the  Ihisph  of  tho  small,  onllyinn  isli-ts.  This  date  is  rarely  later  than 
the  'jntli  of  May.  This  specios  is  not  almndant  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Saint  Michaers.  At 
E>:ff  Island,  ahoiit  ten  miles  (rom  the  entrance  to  the  harlior,  many  of  these  liirds  Ineed  e\ery  year 
on  theldiitls  andledj;es.  The  fjin  is  laid  on  the  bare  roik  withont  pretense  of  lu^st.  Only  oneejijr  is 
laid  in  a  season  if  uiidistni  litd,  hut  will  lie  renewed  if  the  season  is  not  loo  far  advanced.  The  c^^ 
is  veiy  larj;c,  lia\in(;  i'  llllli^h  (jiccn  ;;ionnd  with  dark,  hrown  mottlin{{s  of  varialile  outline.  The 
Rliell  is  e.\ce<  din(;ly  slionii  and  may  he  Killed  around  in  snch  manner  as  to  aHtonish  any  one  noti 
familiar  with  it.     It  is  very  jialatable  ami  remains  fresh  for  a  loii^  time. 

At  ("ape  Newenliam,  on  the  nrirth  side  of  IJiistol  Bay,  I  saw  Ihoiisands  of  thesis  birds  repair- 
ing to  the  clitl's  ol  that  cape.  They  were  especially  nniiierons  in  other  localities  alonu  llie  northern 
side  of  Aliaska.  Ahm;.!  the  entire  Aleutian  chain  these  birds  mv  to  be  found.  At  I'>o<:()slov 
Itiland  niilli(uis  <d  till  m  bleed  c\ery  sninmer.  I  was  in  a  boat  within  few  yards  of  that  island  in 
June,  liSM»,  and  jiassid  villiin  .''<(»  ,\aidsof  it  in  a  ve.-sel  in  .Inne,  1881.  A  larjic  colony  of  sea- 
lions  bit  ed  here  e\('iy  year.  Some  of  the  crew  tiled  rille  shots  at  some  ot  the  sealions,  and  when 
the  sound  of  the  iep<irt  was  reveibi'ialed  against  the  bliilf  the  air  was  tilled  with  these  birds. 
The  entile  surface  (d' the  island,  from  KKM'eet  irom  its  base  to  its  top,  was  made  white  with  the 
breasts  of  these  birds.  Tlit>  island  is  about  (JtHt  feet  hi^h.and  conical,  comjtosed  (d'  disintej;ralinj,'» 
angular  ]iieccs.  constantly  being  detached,  by  a(dion  of  the  weather,  fnnn  the  mass  which  composes 
the  island.  When  tlie  birds  Hew  from  their  nests  small  jiicces  of  stone  weni  thrown  down,  and 
these  again  started  others,  that  on  one  oc<'asion  caused,  by  the  great  mass  of  line  ro(!k  falling  on  it, 
a  huge  rock  to  conic  bomuling  down  its  side  right  in  the  midst  of  one  of  the  priii(;ipal  places  wlieie 
the  sealions  were  l\  ing.  The  large  rock  that  fell  was  not  less  than  twelve  feet  sipiarc,  and  wcighcti 
over  a  hundred  tons.  'I  he  thundering  noise  caused  the  huntlreds  of  sea  lions  to  takti  to  the  water, 
and  in  their  haste  niaii,\  \Mrc  so  injured  as  to  be  incapable  of  regaining  their  places  when  their 
alarm  had  siilisidcd.  'Ilieiock  Killed  nn  several,  and  mashetl  them  flat.  Tlu!  birds  took  tlighl, 
and  darkened  the  air  with  their  iinmbecs. 

These  birds  are  very  <|iiarrelsonie  during  the  breeding  season,  and  many  are  killed  by  being 
dashed  on  tlie  rocks  below  the  nests.  I  liavt  fic(pieiitly,  after  a  liard  storm,  found  these  birds 
dead  on  the  beach  where  the  waves  had  thrown  tlicm. 

On  the  water  these  biids  ride  gracefully  and  have  the  habit  of  swiniiiiing  on  one  side  only.  1 
had  observe<l  this  feature  in  .several  of  them,  and  susjiected  the  bir<ls  to  have  been  woundeil,  but 
on  chasing  them  I  found  to  the  contrary.  They  have  two  notes,  one  of  which  is  like  tlie  b'eat  of  an 
old  ram,  tlie  other  is  like  calling  na  to  some  one  at  a  distance.  From  the  latter  note  is  derived 
the  specific  name  of  the  bird.  The  Eskimc  call  them  y(/it /)«.  The  Russians  call  them  ^bra,  and 
some  writers  have  siijiposed  this  to  be  the  oiigin  of  the  spe(tiH(!  name,  Imt  in  all  the  languages  of 
the  iieopI(^  neighiioring  to  tliese  birds  the  verinuMilar  is  derivtMl  IVoiii  the  note  ««,  and  in  these, 
languages  tlie  name  invariably  begins  with  a.  T\n'  iris  and  bill  of  this  bird  are  black,  the  fetd  are 
dusky.     The  llesli  is  iialatable  and  is  eagerly  eaten  by  the  natives, 

Th  is  bird  is  (|uite  jilentiful  among  all  the  Aleutian  Islands,  and  is  a  winter  resident  from  IJiia- 
lashka  to  the  end  of  the  chain. 

36.    Stkucorarius  pomarinus  (Temni.).    Pomarine  Jaeger. 
The  romarine  ,Ja«'ger  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  by  the  first  week  in  June,  or  it  may  arrive  by 
the  23d  of  May  if  the  season  is  sufliciently  advanced.    This  species  is  au  iuhabitaut  of  the  drier 


CO^TIUUT'TI<)^B  'IOTHK  NATIIUAIi  IIIHTOIIY  OK  AF.ASKA. 


123 


portioim  ol'tlif  IdU'liiiiils,  iiMiinlly  snlitury,  (lioiit;li  Ncvcral  iidiv  lie  n<tii  iit  iiii<>  tltni-  in  tli<>  iM>it;lilK)r- 
liooii.  Wlii'ii  nut  on  tlitt  win^  tlioy  niiiy  hu  Nt-iMi  Hitting  on  an  t>lt>v.it<>il  insMick  til'  uiass  wiitcliiiiK 
for  iiiNi-(;tN.  Tln'y  nn-k  llii-ir  food  by  wanil- liiin  ov»>r  ^ivat  tin'iis,  jjiMH'ially  llio  cliaiim  oC  laken. 
Aii,\  reriiHc  inalt*M',  Kiiiall  li.sli  or  wonnilt*  i  liini,  Im  iMiKcrly  N<>i/<M|  Ity  tlii'in.  When  Hiding  on  tli» 
water  the  Iniiiyaru^v  "I  tliJH  l»ii<l  is  hii,  n  that  it  sccnis  to  Hcarecly  toui^li  llic  MUiCaco  of  tlio  water. 
Tliu  iriH  ot'  IIiIn  bird  {h  dark  brown,  tarni  .k:i<l  toi>N  i  IniNli,  w*d)  and  Holt>H  black. 

.'W.    Htkhcouahm's  I'AHASiTious  (Lliin.)     I'lirnititic  Jimiir. 

Till-  rarasilit!  .lai'tfcr  aniv«'.sat  Saint  Miclnicl'N  aliont  tbt'sanif  titni'as  the  otliorspccios.  Tills 
s|i(>cics  lrf<|iicntN  the  water  nioie  lliaii  tlu^  I'oniarinc  ■!  u>{;i'r.  It  Ncarclii'H  tlii>  lieacli,  bay.s,  and 
bikt'H  lor  food,  wliicli  coiiMiNt  of  IIhIii'm  that  may  liavo  been  cunt  on  tint  bearli,  wliell  tl.sli,  and 
other  animal  food.  They  also  eat  the  berricH  of  hhtipflrum  niiirum.  They  harass  the  (inlls  and 
terns,  eatisini;  them  to  dis)ror^(!  the  footi  whieh  they  have  Jnst  swallowed.  (Mi  one  oe(;asion  I  saw 
two  of  this  species  attempt  to  cliasu  a  (iiill,  L.  harroriaiiuH,  wlii(;li  is  not  an  ae,tive  bird  on  the 
win^,  lint  on  this  oe(;asioii  was  ill  a  bad  humor.  Amidst  the  flereesi  sereaiiis  the  (lull  siiiMU'eded 
in  pnliini;  both  the  .laeKers  ti>  lli;(hl,  and  piiisiiit  was  (;ontiiiiietl  for  several  hiiiidred  yards. 

I  was  out  one  evening,  Just  as  the  sun  had  disappeared  behiml  tlu^  hills.  When  I  eame  to  tlie 
elii  ill  of  lakes  liaek  of  Saint  Miehael's,  I  observed  several  mnskrats  swiiiimin;;  in  one  of  the  sliallow 
lalvi'M.  After  1  had  walclied  them  for  hoiik*  time,  I  shot  oiiit  and  too'c  olf  its  skin,  wliieli  1  threw 
on  the  surface  ot  the  water.  A  ((eiitle  wind  drove  it  several  yards  from  nie.  1  was  about  to  go 
elsewhere,  when  I  observed  a  bird,  half  a  mill-  otf,  making;  directly  tor  me.  I  ieco;;iii/ed  it  to  bo  a 
.FacKer,  which,  with  scarcely  a  movement  of  its  wiiifis,  drove  strait;ht  for  the  piece  of  miiskrat-skin. 
It  sei/.cd  the  skill  in  its  beak  and  then  pas.sed  it  to  its  claws,  by  which  it  cariieil  it  olf  a  little 
distance  and  be^iaii  to  strip  the  adhering;  muscle  and  fat  IVoiii  it.  This  liiid  was  ceiiaiiily  pos- 
sessed of  keenest  eyesifjht.  These  binis  are  said  to  breed  on  the  faces  of  hinh  bliilfs.  I  never 
saw  the  nests  or  e(;}rs,  'J'liis  bird  is  a  fi'i'(|ucnt  \'isilor  to  the  Alciiliaii  Islaiiils.  I  oltscrvcd  it  at 
Alkha  -Inly  17,  1>7'.S  and  iifjain  in  .lime,  l.SSO,  at  tlii^  same  place.  A  few  d.iys  alter  I  saw  one 
ll,\ii  near  the  vessel  while  otf  Kiska  Island.  At  the  Semichi  Islaiiils  it  breeds  abundantly,  tie- 
t:"i(liii  •  to  ihe  assertiiuis  of  the  natives.  I  have  .seen  the  bird  on  several  occasions  ne.ir  (Miicha;;of 
liail'^ir,  Attn  Island,  but  it  visits  only  tliis  islaiul  finm  .Aj^attu  and  S(  iniclii. 

At  Anichilka  Island  I  saw  .several  of  these  birds  sitlin^t  o"  the  hillocks  and  tussocks  of  ^rass. 
They  were  at  this  place  exci-edinj^ly  shy,  and  W(uild  under  no  circiiinslanccs  peniiii  me  to  ujiproach 
within  gunshot.  During  line  weather  these  birds  have  tlii^  habit  of  siitiii;;  for  a  loii};  time  in  an 
apjiaiciil  (lo/,<-.  Of  the  luanv  indniduals  seen  on  the  Alcnti.in  InImihIs  1  have  never  observed  that 
activity  of  this  bird  which  <:haiacteii/.e8  it  in  the  Yukon  district. 

The  I'lskimo  have  many  traditions  connected  with  this  bird.  They  ascribe,  great  jirowess 
and  liiaxery  to  it.  In  the  earliest  times  this  bird  was  a  caiiiiilial,  and  is  now  called  ,1  hhtldi  td  ydo 
li\  and  means  thief,  because  it  forincrly  stole  iiieii.  The  iris  of  this  bird  is  brown,  tarsi  and  toes 
bine,  web  and  soles  black,  claws  black,  lieuk  blackish. 

38.  Stercorakius  LONUlCAUDUS  Vieill.     Long  tailed  Jaipcr. 

The  Loiijf  tailed  .lacfjer  arrives  several  days  previous  to  the  ajipearance  of  its  conjjeiiers.  The 
18th  of  May,  IST.j,  was  a  day  ot  s]ie<'ial  abundance.  1  killed  iiiiit^  of  them  that  day,  and  did  not 
walk  out  of  an  area  bounded  by  thirty  yards  s(|uare.  On  their  lirst  arrival  they  are  somewhat  t;re- 
various,  thoii^di  this  ii  ay  be  due  to  the  limited  portions  of  (ground  free  Irom  snow.  At  this  time  the 
little  pools  of  the  low  {jroiind  are  being  rajiidly  thawed  out;  many  cracks  in  the  heaving  sca-ice 
expose  the  water  to  view.  These  places  are  then  scanned  for  food.  When  the  iiie  in  the  lakes  and 
larger  ponds  is  melted,  these  birds  usually  are  hovering  in  the  vicinilv,  ov  seated  on  .some  knoll 
watching  a  gull  or  tern  dive  for  a  tisli.  'Ihe  .Jaeger  gives  irhase,  uttering  a  scream  that  frightens 
the  gull  or  tern,  and  causes  it  to  disgorge  the  tisli.  The  .laeger  is  extremely  swift  on  wing,  and 
when  pursuing  another  bird  thrashes  the  air  with  wiii^  and  tail,  giving  an  iindiilatory  motion  to 
the  body.  These  birds  may  frciiuently  be  .seen  sitting  on  a  solitary  rock,  cNposed  in  some  shallow 
tide  lagoon,  orel.se  walking  along  the  beach,  in  search  of  food  cast  up  by  the  sea. 

Their  nests  and  eggs  were  not  obtained  by  uie.    They  are  said  to  build  on  the  clilfs  and  bluflfs 


i 


I 


! 


124 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


along  tiie  Yukon  Uivi'v  near  Mission.  They  also  breed  on  tlie  hillsides  of  the  tundra.  Several 
(.airs  wer"  known  to  be  breeding  near  Saint  Miehael's,  but  I  fViled  to  diseover  their  nest.  During 
the  b'vediuf;  seaicni  tiiey  are  very  shy.  In  tlie  fall  t!iey  have  suttieient  curiosity  to  allow  them  to  be 
killed,  blionld  tne  of  their  kind  be  shot  aiid  slightly  wounded  the  others  w'U  gather  round  it,  and 
if  not  fn.i.'lit<iMi .'.  ;i\v,ty  will  soon  dispatch  '.heir  (roinriide. 

I  had  freiiuci.tly  wounded  desirable  species  of  ducks  an<l  other  birds  on  the  lakes,  but  when 
taken  out  by  the  wind  from  i.y  leacli  1  had  to  1'  ave  them  until  I  returned,  sometimes  the  next  day. 
On  n.y  return  1  always  found  that  the  feathers  had  been  ]>lucked  fron>  the  breast  of  the  bird  and 
the  f  .sh  had  been  eaten.  1  suspected  the  niuskrats  of  having  done  it  until  I  detected  a  .laegei- 
in  the  act  of  eating  a  bird  which  I  had  left. 

The  liOngtailed  Jaegei'  is  rarely  seen  on  the  Eastern  Aleutian  Islands.  I  saw  one  at  Sannakh 
Island  in  -Inly,  JS7S.  I  saw  a  tew  at  Alkha  Island  in  1870,  and  two  at  Attn  Island  in  18H(».  They 
were  Hying  over  the  water  of  the  bays  but  never  in  gunshot.  Tl'.is  species  is  rei)orted  :o  breed 
at  tlic  Seniichi  Islands — there  atnonj;  the  little  knolls  of  the  low  ground.  Throughout  the  Terri- 
tory of  Alaska  the  .Jaegers  are  known  to  the  Russianspeaiving  ]>opulation  as  Kns  hoi  nik,  a  word 
meaning  robl>er,  1hi"f.  The  Eskimo  of  Ncr'.ou  Sound  call  this  si)ecies  Yi,  .r/  I'lh,  and  means  little 
man.     The  Jaegeis  are  all  intimately  connected  wit;i  many  of  the  traditions  of  the  Eskiaio. 

4()((.  RiSSA  TPiiJACTYLA  I'OLLICAKIS  Ridgw.     I'acijic  Kiltiirahe. 

The  *'aci(ic  Kittiwike  is  a  common  bird  at  Saint  Michael's  when  tiu^  ice  lireaks  up,  adale  v.hich 
varies  from  the  ir)th  of  ?.lay  to  the  middle  of  Jraie.  They  remain  longer  than  any  of  the  gidl  kind, 
exceiit  L.  hnrrorhDnis.  It  is  not  an  abundant  bird  at  any  time  in  this  viciuity.  The  great  breeding- 
grounds  of  this  s])e('ies  is  farther  south.  On  the  Pribylof  (Ironp  and  some  of  the  western  Aleutian 
Islands  this  sjiecies  breeds  in  thousands.  In  this  locality  (Saint  Michael's)  I  am  letl  to  infer  that 
it  br"eds  but  s])aringly.  A  ,\onng  female  (a  bird  of  the  yearl  was  killed  October  2,  1874,  at  Saint 
Miclmel's. 

The  adult  i)lnnii.g<'  is  assunu'd  th"  lirst  year.  This  spi'cinid'.  i)resented  the  following  pattern 
of  colori/iion  :  Head  \Hii'e  white  with  circumorbital  spa(!e  cloudi'd  with  more  or  less  black.  I'ost- 
auricnlar  space  au'l  a  naiiow  band  over  hind  neck  black,  succeeded  by  a  grayish  band  leaching  to 
the  intersca])ulars.  Hack  dark  gn!l  l)lue,  lightening  toward  the  u|)ii('r  tail  (U)\'erts,  whiidi  :'vi'  puie 
white.  Tail  black  tijjped  for  little  more  tlian  an  inch,  ^^'ing  coverts  at  their  insertion  blackish  with 
numerous  lighter  per.l-blne  markings  which  becouu'  v  hite  on  the  tips,  forming'  a  longitudinal 
band.  Irimaiy  cov  its  black,  rriinaiics  black,  eviopting  the  I'  unes,  which  are  white  tiug"d 
with  blreish  'J'he  (unler  side  of  the  priinaiies  is  nlack  with  white  >naft  to  the  <|Uill.'-,  The  plumage 
below  is  ]nire  wl  .te.  his  black,  bill  bl.ick,  claws  black,  feet  pale  tiesli.  Thi.s  Ki'tiwake  usually 
seeks  its  food  iigains  tiie  wind,  an<l  il' several  birds  are  togetln  r  tlie,\  gi  abreast,  st  re  i<du'<l  out 
for  many  yards  in  lit  e.  When  an  oh, eel  of  food  i."  discerned  this  bird  generall;i  mounts  a  h'w 
feet  and  comes  dow;,  with  a  plunge,  and  remains  on  the  water  s*.  .cely  an  instiut.  I  have  never 
seen  one  sitting  for  an\  length  of  time  on  'lie  water,     '''lu'y  are  lu'aily  always  on  tlie  wing. 

41.  RissA  uiiEViKosTKis  (ihiu'li.).     lledU  (jged  KHHwake. 

The  Red  legged  Kittiwake  is  not  a  >,'omnion  bird  in  tlie  viciiity  of  Saint  Micharls,  Theonl.\  one 
obtained  there  was  a  young  fensale,  dated  Septembei  18,  ^8"'!.  Far'her  sou  li  this  bird  has  been 
observed  in  thousands.  The  Aleuiian  Islands  ar<l  llie  I'ribylof  (ironp  , ire  its  homi.  On  Akutan 
<piite  a  iiiiinbci- were  observe,<l  on,  high  dill  ..cur  th"  village  on  that  island.  In  the  s.iine  year 
(1878)  1  saw  a  un  at  Sannakh,  and  in  hi'.,  r  years  I  frecpieiitly  saw  them  passing  the  vess(d  licb 
1  was  on.  To  the  westward  this  Kitti'.ake  occurs  more  plen'iftilly  t,  .m  Iriihah/hi,  with  whi,'!i  it 
BBS!  ciates. 

Not  having  rjiportniiit.', ,  diirinj    the  breeding  neason,  1  .lid  not  obtain  eggs  of  this  bird. 

The  rich  vermilion  if  the  leg*,  the  crimsiM  eyelids,  cle:ir  hazel  iris,  wiih  the  jiiire  \\  hite  of 
head,  neck,  and  under  jiarts  coii'.ast  beaut iinlly  with  the  jieari  giay  Mianlle  of  back  a.id  wings. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  iii  d  is  J'Jf/  hU;  and  signilies  big  throat. 


-% 


CONTRIBUTION'S  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


125 


42.1.  Larus  habbovianus  Ridgw.     Western  Glaueous  Gull* 

This  Gull  is  the  earliest  bird  to  arrive  at  Saint  Michael's,  liy  the  middle  of  Ajnil  they  arrive 
in  few  niiinbers,  sailing  liif;li  in  the  air,  almost  out  of  sight.  Their  note,  being  the  lirst  intimation 
of  their  presence,  is  always  gladly  welcomed  as  a  sign  t'lat  the  ice,  fartlier  south,  is  breaking  u]) 
They  resort  to  the  low  jilaces  on  their  arrival  and  eagerly  scan  the  Assures  of  tiie  ice  for  food. 
They  are  not  at  all  shy  at  any  season  of  the  year.  As  they  sit  on  the  exposed  roclis,  just  at  the 
edge  of  the  water,  a  native,  or  other  person,  in  a  canoe  may  pass  so  close  to  them  that  tliey  may  be 
knocked  off  with  a  jtaddle.  At  times  they  wrangle  with  tlie  ravens  for  the  otfal  ot  lish  wiiich  some 
native  (isiierman  has  left  in  the  village.  This  large  (Jnl!  is  not  particular  about  food.  Anything 
which  lie  (an  swallow  is  gul])ed  down.  1  saw  a  young  bird  of  this  s|)ecies  catch  a  tomcod  that  was 
too  laige  to  be  swallowed.  It  Hew  to  the  bank  and  j)icked  it  tt)  pieces.  This  biid  had  been  follow- 
ing my  canoe  for  many  hundred  yards,  and  when  it  caught  thetish  it  was  not  twenty  feet  away. 

This  Gull  nests  in  a  tussoc^k  of  grass  that  nnry  grow  in  the  middle  of  a  ])ond  in  the  lowlands, 
otherwise  foxes  might  disturb  it.  'I  he  nest  is  built  of  grass  and  other  niateiial.  The  eggs  are 
(lei»osited  early  in  .lune  and  are  two  or  three  in  numbei'.  Should  the  eggs  be  removed  the  parent 
will  renew  the  cr)m|>lemeiit,  lait  <udy  one  or  two  will  la^  laid.  The  period  of  incubation  is  about 
three  weeks.  The  young  iire  downy  and  pui'c  white  on  their  tirst  appearanc(>,  but  soon  cihange 
to  gray  with  diirkcr  mottlings  Tin- plumagi' in  the  tall  of  the  lirst  year  is  <laik  an-I  remains  so 
until  the  fall  of  the  second  year,  when  it  is  changed  to  a  much  lighter  sliad(\  The  spring  of  the 
third  \iiii  gi\('s  it  the  adult  plumage  of  jiearl  gray  and  white.  A  most  beautiful  bird,  so  neat  in 
plnmiige  that,  though  it  walks  the  muddiest  lu'ach  and  sits  in  ihe  months  of  the  little  streams, 
whi<  h  pou)-  (Uit  a  toirent  of  muddy  water  allei  a  hard  lain,  not  a  single  feather  will  be  soiled. 
Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  these  birds  remain  thnjughout  the  year,  tliougli  in  winter  much  less 
in  nnnd)er.  They  aie  compelled  by  severe  periods  of  weather  to  come  diiecrtly  into  the  villages  for 
food.  I  hav;  lVe(|uently  seen  then-  sitting  on  the  sodc'overed  houses  of  Ihe  the  naiives.  At  tlie:se 
times  I  have  seen  them  scrrceely  liy  when  iiiiproached.  fhey  sit  ■iiimng  the  breakeis  of  tli^  little 
bays,  and  when  a  wave  would  (Mime  ami  thieateu  to  upset  them  a  single  rtai»  of  their  large  wings 
enabled  the  wa\e  to  pass  beneaih  without  distiirbiince  to  the  bird,  which  was  waiting  for  the 
underiov*'  lo  wash  up  some  refuse  mutter  that  would  oflbrd  a  morsel  of  food.  They  freipienlly  get 
rolled  ove.  by  a  wave  when  their  attention  is  too  «  ,..;■  riveted  on  .some  i  .iject  that  a  previous 
wave  i;;'d  brought  to  view.  When  taking  HIght  from  the  water  these  (iulls  -ipread  tlu'ii'  wings  out 
and  run  tor  se\eral  feet  on  tlu'  surlace  of  tlu'  water. 

This  (lUll  is  {'specially  numerous  in  siuue  localities.  Al  Saint  Mi<'ha,is  liut  few  breed,  while 
on  some  of  the  Aleutian  islands,  esi)eciall.\  AKutan,  I'muak,  Auichitka,  Amlia,  nniny  tlnuisauds 
breed.  At  Karluk,  on  the  muthwest  shoulder  of  Kadiak,  I  saw  countless  thousandsof  these  (iulls 
in  Angus;,  ISSI,  us  they  weic  on  the  elllls  ne;ir  the  lishint;  station. 

The  bill  and  the  feel  ol'  the  young  bird  are  brown  to  lead  gray.  The  iidult  has  ijcsh  colored 
feet,  and  yellow  bill,  on  which  is  n  red  spot  nciir  the  end  ot  the  lower  mandible. 

The  note  oi'  this  bird  is  variable,  in  spring  a  harsh  hitti'i,  which  changes  to  a  deep /(()»/,•  in  a  few 
weeks.  When  living  along  Ihe  shmt'  a  prolonged,  giiiiiting  croak  is  ulleied.  1  h;i\('  also  ob 
served  that  the  Western  (ilaiieiis  Gull  changes  its  note  during  the  winter,  as  at  this  lime  a  note  is 
uttered  which  is  heard  at  no  other  sensiui;  and  in  the  sjiring  the  note  is  not  again  heiirtl. 

The  ICskiino  name  for  the  \\'esterii  (ilancns  (!ull  is  h'n  ki':li  ruk  meaning  the  large  one  utter- 
ing ko  /i<;. 

The  Aleuts  have  sexeial  names  for  it  to  indicate  the  special  plumages  as  arc  shown  by  the  age 
of  the  bird.     The  adult  is  culled  lllii  hihii,  and  is  derived  fr(uii  the  note  of  this  species. 

There  is  no  sp<'ciiil  use  made  of  these  birds  by  any  of  the  naiives  of  Noithein  Alaska,  except 
for  food.  The  llesli  of  the  young  biid  is  considered  excellent,  and  when  otiier  food  is  seiiree  an  old 
Gull  is  often  killed  for  that  pnipose.  The  eggs  of  this  sjiecies  are  excellent  when  fresii,  iait  become 
rancid  in  a  few  days. 

U.  'fiAKi'S  (Ji.Afci'.scKNS  Naiim.     (llnuvouHuinijed  (iiiU. 
This  Gidl  occurs  sparingly  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Mi(!haers,  where  1  obtained  <uie  specimen. 

*  See  "Auk,"  July,  18«6,  pp.  JUO-l. 


*l      ) 


:i 


■Si 


X       I 


% 


n    I 


»n>ii^ijlnV!inw"''yi'ii"'j:^j^'J"'"'  ■'■  ■ii»i"'»w!'«li»i 


126 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALi  SKA, 


Along  tlie  Aleutian  Islands  it  occurs  in  greater  numbers,  but  is  generally  in  tbe  It'Hs  acciessible 
places.  I  obtained  a  si)ecinien  at  Unala8l)ka  Island  in  tbe  winter  (December  14\  of  187S.  i  did  not 
obferve  it  so  often  in  the  eastern  islands  of  tbe  Aleutian  cliaiii.  It  o(!cnrs  pie  itifully  round  San- 
nakb,  tlie  Sliiimagin  Islands,  and  Kadiak,  and  abundant  on  tbe  Nearer  Group.  1  did  not  obtain 
eggs  of  this  species,  though  it  doubtless  breeds  along  the  entire  coast  of  the  territory  south  of 
Bering  Strait. 

55.  Lart^s  brachyrhynchus  Rich.     Short-hilled  Oull. 

The  Short -billed  Gull  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  a<;cording  to  the  oi)enness  of  the  season.  It 
comes  in  few  numbers  as  soon  as  large  cracks  are  made  in  the  ice.  Tliis  may  be  early  as  the  lirst 
of  May  or  a,s  late  as  the  25th.  The  season  of  1874  was  unusually  oi»eii.  Upon  our  arrival  at  Saint 
Michael's,  on  May  L'5,  buudretls  of  these  gulls  were  tlyiiig  over  the  bay.  In  the  course  of  a  few  days 
ihey  became  (ess,  so  that  by  tbe  middle  of  June  only  few  ])airs  were  seen.  In  later  years  they  were 
not  abundant  at  any  time,  though  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice  was  accomi)anied  with  visits  of  num- 
bers of  them.  During  tlie  breeding  season  these  Gidls  resort  to  the  higher  blulls  and  (iliff's.  Such 
locations  are  not  found  in  tbe  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's,  and  but  few  pairs  were  known  to  breed 
there.     Sometimes  they  breed  on  Whale  Island  near  there. 

Among  tlie  Aleutian  Islands  these  birds  congregate  in  many  thousands  on  the  (ilitl's  to  i)reed. 

Oi)  tbe  islands  where  I  have  been  stationed  natives  also  live.  They  and  the  foxes  keeji,  to  a 
great  extent,  these,  and  in  fact  nearly  all  other  water  birds,  from  breeding  near  the  settlements.  It 
is  to  the  uninhabited  islands  that  the  majority  of  the  birds  resort,  hence  did  not  obtain  the  eggs  of 
this  siiecies. 

At  Atkha  Island,  in  the  early  i)art  of  August,  1879,  a  small  si>ecies  of  tisb  {,}[<tllotttH  villonut) 
was  thrown  up  by  the  waves  onto  tbe  beach.  These  fish  cast  their  sjiawn  in  the  sand  and  is  cov- 
ered by  the  next  wave. 

The  Gulls  of  th:.'*  species  follow  the  wake  of  these  tishes,  and  during  the  spawning  season 
devouf  many  thousands  of  tbein. 

At  Amchilka  Island  I  observed  this  species  frequenting  the  beach  at  low  tide  and  securitig  the 
sea-urchins  {SlnnKjylorvntratiin  (IrolxichicuKiK  A.  Ag.)  which  occur  ijleiitifully.  The  i)irds  sei/.e  the 
prey,  carry  it  .siveriil  yards  into  the  air  and  then  drop  it  on  the  rocks ;  or,  as  it  freiiiiently  happens, 
into  the  little  pools  lell  by  the  receding  tide.  These  jiools  are  of  variable  depth,  but  when  of  not 
more  than  a  (vw  inches  deejt,  the  bird  again  took  theobjec,  toilroi»  it,  perhaps  into  the  same  place  ; 
evi<leiitly  not  with  the  intention  of  wa.shing  any  objectionai.  matt'  fioin  its  surface,  but  simply 
from  the  fact  that  the  bird  had  not  yet  learned  to  calculate  th  ■  hr  of  falling  bodies,  yet  when  the 
shell- tisb  wasdioppi'don  the  rocks  and  broken  open  the  bird  gree..  ... devoured  the  well  tilled  ovaries. 
These  (Jiills  and  the  Havens,  fretjiiently  carry  the  shells  far  to  the  inland  and  there  break  them  open 
with  their  beaks.     The  olil  shells  may  be  frequently  found  on  a  knoll  of  gronnil  or  tuft  of  glass. 

During  the  winter  these  birds  retire  to  some  other  locality  but  not  distant,  as  they  return  early 
in  Mar(!h  to  the  western  Aleutian  Islands. 

The  He.sh  is  said  to  be  very  good  ;  the  Aleuts  eat  it  either  raw  or  cooked.  The  bill,  feet,  and 
toes  of  this  s])e(;ies  are  greenish  yellow,  the  web  yellowish,  eyelids  crimson,  iris  tlark  hazel. 

(10.  Lari's  PHILADELPHIA  (Onl).     Bonapiutc'H  Gull. 

Individuals  of  this  species  wen^  procured  and  seen  oidy  at  the  mouth  ol  the  Kuskokvim  River, 
June  17,  bH7lt. 

At  that  date  the  twilight  lingers  throughout  the  entire  night,  and  dining  this  time  1  wandered 
along  the  banks  of  a  large  lake,  lying  several  hundred  yards  distant  from  the  warehouse,  used  to 
store  the  trader's  annual  suitj)lies  in  if  he  does  not  ha|i|)en  to  meet  the  vessel  when  she  arrives  in 
the  spring.  I  secured  three  specimens  of  this  (Juil,  but  was  unable  to  i)reseive  them  on  account  of 
bad  weather  coming  on  the  next  day,  causing  other  feelings  than  a  desire  to  skin  birds. 

This  is  the  only  locality  where  1  saw  this  Gull. 

ii2.  Xkma  sauinii  (Sab.).     8abine^:t  Gull. 
This  (iull  is  lound  abundantly  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.    A  few  miles  farther  south  it 
is  very  numerous.     It  breeds  along  the  low  grounds  from  Saiut  Michael's  to  Bristol  Bay. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


127 


A  youiiR  one  ncarcdy  able  to  fly  wtis  obtained  at  the  "  canal"  on  the  2l8t  of  'Inly,  1875.  It 
had  doubtless  been  reart  »1  at  tliat  i)laee. 

They  are  rarely  seen  in  larjje  Hocks,  tliongh  a  dozen  may  be  seen  at  a  time.  I  saw  once  a 
flock  of  not  less  than  seventy-tive,  on  the  29th  of  October,  lH7<i,  flying  northwai.l  past  the  redoubt. 
They  settled  on  the  water  of  the  bay  for  a  few  moments  and  took  their  Hight  farther  northward. 

Tlieir  food  consists  of  worms  and  aquatic  insects. 

I  examined  tiie  crojjs  of  eight  sjieijimens  that  were  obtained  July  21,  1875,  and  all  were  filled 
with  aquatic  larva'  of  an  insect  that  could  not  be  determined. 

I  have  never  seen  this  bird  hovering  over  the  jionds  like  the  Gulls  and  Terns. 

I  observed  this  sjiecies  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kuskokvim  River  in  June,  1878,  and  at  Nushagak 
and  Tugiak,  on  Bristol  Hiiy,  in  the  same  month. 

It  is  not  found  on  the  Aleiiiian  Islands,  except  in  rare  instances,  as  I  saw  but  one  at  Atklia 
Island,  in  July,  1870.  and  one  tlyitig  near  the  vessel  ott'  Kiska  Island,  in  .Tune,  188((. 

'I'lie  young  birds  have  a  lilack  bill  and  flesh-colored  tarsi,  tm's,  and  web;  claws  black. 

The  adults  have  a  lilaek  bill  with  yellow  tip.  iris  black,  eyelids  bright  red  ;  tarsi,  toes,  and  web 
dark  lead  color;  claws  black. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  Na  chii'thl  ngd  ilk,  and  refers  to  the  cap  or  hood  of  the  bird. 

71.  Si'i.uNA  PAUADis^KA  Hriiiui.    Arctic  Tern. 

Tlie  Arctic  Tern  is  one  of  the  earliest  birds  to  arrive  at  Saint  Michael's.  The  earliest  date 
recor(le<l  was  Aiuil  2."),  a  very  early  seascui,  showing  that  the  Terns  only  await  the  movement  of  the 
seaice  to  ajipear  in  any  localitv.  They  become  very  alnindant  by  the  middle  of  May.  They  breed 
on  the  low  groiinds,  preferably  a  low,  damp  island,  such  as  those  at  the  northern  end  of  the  "(ianal.'' 
On  this  place  hundreds  of  nests  were  discovered  in  1870. 

The  nest  is  merely  a  bare  spot  on  the  ground  ;  sonietinu's  a  few  blades  of  ^i-.ss  surround  the 
margin  of  the  nest,  but  these  seem  to  be  more  me  result  of  cleaning  oft' a  bare  spot  than  an  attempt 
to  construct  a  nest. 

The  eggs  vary  from  one  to  two,  never  more. 

The  Arctic  Tern  is  so  intimately  associated  with  the  Aleutian  Tern,  both  in  ne.--(ing  habits  and 
procuring  food,  that  the  remarks  for  the  one  will  apply  for  the  otht>r.  Their  nests  are  sometimes 
placed  within  two  feet  of  each  otlier,  and  ai)|iarently  without  causing  animosity  between  the  species, 

The  young  are  hatched  in  two  and  a  half  weeks,  and  are  ready  to  fly  by  the  lirst  of  Autrust. 

These  birds  remain  until  the  end  of  the  first  week  in  September,  or  some  ten  days  lalei'  than 
iS.  alcviica. 

They  procure  their  food  by  flying  over  the  water  at  a  slight  distance,  the  head  constantly 
twisting  to  one  or  the  other  side  to  scan  the  surface  for  small  fish.  With  a  sudden  dash,  s(nnetiines 
nearly  disai)pearing  beneath  the  water,  the  bird  rarely  fails  to  bring  out  the  lish  for  which  it  dove. 

The  Tern  will  sometimes  not  see  a  fish  initil  it  has  flown  past  the  object,  and  umler  such  cir- 
cur.istances  I  have  seen  the  bird  tniii  a  complete  somersault  and  twist  over  right  side  u]t  and  dive 
for  the  fish  it  had  just  passed. 

AVhen  they  have  comi)Ietely  wetted  the  surface  of  their  plumage  they  halt  for  an  instant,  in 
their  flight,  and  a  (|uick  shiver  causes  the  water  to  be  shaken  off. 

They  are  tVe(iucntly  harassed  by  the  large  Skua  (Julls  or  Jaegers  {Stcrcurnrii),  which  cause 
the  Teins  to  disgoige  the  contents  of  their  croiis 

The  Terns  evince  iheir  displeasure  by  a  defiant  nqnuc. 

The  bill  of  this  bird  is  crimson ;  tarsi  vermilion.  The  young  buds  have  tlesli-colored  bill 
and  feet. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  Tern  is  Tii  kuthl  kiri  iik,  and  refers  to  its  note. 

I    have  observed  this  bird  at   Kuskokvim   River,  liiistol   Ray,  Atkha   Island,  and  at  Attn 
Island.     AuKuig  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  is  not  at  all  common,  although  more  plentil'nl  to  tin  wesi 
ward  portion  of  the  chain. 


-:;.* 


•  11 


The 


7.'{,  Steuna  ALKiTioA  Baird. 
Aleutiau  Tern  arrives  at  Saint 


Aleutian  Tern 
ehael's 


M 


the  Ist  of  tlune,  and  renuiins  until  the  latter 


ill 


128 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


I 


i*. 


11^ 


W    ^    B  '' 


K  t 


part  of  Aiipiist.  It  is  very  abundant  in  tliis  vicinity,  breeding  pJuntifuUy  on  a  Hinal!  island  juat  at 
the  nortlicrn  end  of  the  "canal."  They  are  usually  aHsociated  with  S.  parailiHwa,  both  in  procuring 
food  and  nesting  habits.  The  nest  (ionsists  of  a  bare  spot  on  the  ground,  with  few  wisps  of  grass 
round  the  margin  of  the  nest.  Sometimes  no  sign  of  a  nest  is  visible;  the  eggs  then  are  dejjosited 
on  the  ground.  The  number  of  eggs  is  one  or  two.  Incubation  lasts  for  seventeen  days.  The 
young  are  able  to  fly  by  the  first  of  August. 

The  note  of  this  bird  differs  from  that  of  S.  parndiiicea  in  that  the  "squay"  is  weaker  and 
squeaky;  the  other  tu)te  is  like  twe-e-e-e  i)rolonge<l,  and  is  readily  distinguisiiable  from  the  harsher 
"squay"  of  the  S.  paradiswa. 

I  have  never  observed  this  Tern  among  the  Aleutian  Islands,  although  it  may  occur  there, 
especially  on  the  less  rugged  islands. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  Tern  is  £g  lug  nd  giik,  and  refers  to  tlie  white  stripe  on  the  head. 

81.  DiOMEDEA  NiGRiPES  Aud.    BUick/ooted  Alhatfoss. 

The  Black-footed  Albatross  is  quite  a  common  bird  in  »onu'  hxialities  north  of  the  Aleutian 
Islands.  In  Bristol  Bay  in  June,  1878, 1  saw  numbers  of  them  in  the  vicinity  of  (!ape  Neweidiam. 
They  were  not  shy  and  seemed  perfectly  at  houu^  Toward  the  western  Aleutiiiii  Islands  they  are 
not  common  but  are  frequently  met.  Tliey  follow  the  vessels  for  miles  or  even  day  after  day,  feed- 
ing on  all  manner  of  scrai)s  of  food,  which  were  thrown  overl)oanl  from  the  galley. 

They  h.ave  a  peculiar  note,  which  is  only  uttered  when  a  less  fortunate  bird  attempts  to  seize  a 
morsel  of  food  from  another's  beak.  TI'.?!  note  is  then  a  whining  groan.  On  the  wing  these  birds 
are  extremely  graceful.  They  rise  and  fall  in  their  flight  with  the  curve  of  the  wave  over  which 
they  sail;  and,  at  times,  it  seems  as  though  the  tips  of  their  wings  touch  the  water;  and  apparently 
without  effort  these  birds  will  continue  on  flight  for  a  great  distance  without  other  movement  of 
their  body  than  a  simple  roll  to  one  or  the  other  side. 

I  have  often  tried  to  catch  them  by  baiting  a  piece  of  po-';  on  a  hook  and  letting  it  trail  many 
feet  in  the  wake  of  the  vessel.  The  birds  become  very  intelligent  ant'  soon  suspect  the  intention. 
They  seize  the  baited  hook  in  the  tips  of  the  long,  stout  beak  and  by  rising  partly  on  wing,  with 
feet  spread  out  and  tail  bent  into  the  water,  they  make  a  strong  jjull  against  the  line;  and  frequently 
snap  a  stout  cord.  Many  will  collect  round  the  vessel  and  each  one  seems  eager  to  snatch  the 
food  uped  as  bait;  they  rarely  try  it  but  once.  In  rising  from  the  water  the  wings  are  unfolded, 
joint  at  a  time;  and,  only  when  the  bird  is  on  the  water,  a  quick  stroke  with  it«  feet  sends  it  to  the 
surface,  where  by  skipping  and  flapping  along  the  body  gains  suflicient  momentum  to  enable  the 
wings  to  carry  it  away. 

I  have  1U1  doubt  that  this  bird  breeds  in  some  locality  among  the  islands,  for  it  is  found  there 
from  the  early  i)art  of  May  to  late  October. 

There  is  much  difl'erence  in  the  color  of  specimens  seen  in  thes(>  norlhern  localities.  The  bill 
is  dusky  to  pure  white,  plumage  sooty  to  lighter,  with  considerable  white  about  the  neck  ami  chin. 
The  feet  are  dusky  to  black.  Some  of  these  l)irds  were  suspected  to  lie  young  of  the  year,  but  I 
could  never  get  a  sjiecimen  of  them  as  they  were  too  far  ottfroni  land;  and  to  obtain  one,  while  a 
vessel  is  in  motion,  is  impossible. 

82.  DiOMEDEA  ALBATRUS  (Pall.).     Short-tailed  Albatross. 

The  Short  tailed  Albatross  is  found  in  great  abuinlance  in  tlie  neighborhood  of  Cape  Newen- 
ham,  near  Bristol  Bay.  In  June,  1878,  1  was  on  a  vessel  in  that  locality,  and  at  one  time  counted 
fourteen  indivi<luals,  flying  or  sitting. 

The  mouth  of  the  Kuskokvim  River  was  the  farthest  north  that  I  observed  these  birds  near 
the  shore,  but  at  sea  I  have  seen  them  near  Saint  Lawrence  Island.  The  natives  of  Saint  Michael's 
as.sert  they  arc  to  be  seen  in  rare  instances  f)ft'  the  northwest  jioint  of  Stewart's  Island. 

Anu)iig  the  Aleutian  Islands  they  are  quite  common,  but  geneially  far  out  at  sea.  They  af)- 
proach  the  land  during  dense  fogs,  and  may  then  be  found  sitting  on  a  small  rock  jutting  from  the 
water. 

1  never  could  obtain  a  specimen  in  comlition  to  save  the  skin,  for  the  birds  do  not  come  near 
the  settlements ;  and,  when  a  native  kills  one  he  saves  only  the  wings,  from  wliich  to  take  the  sinew 


I  ■ 

h 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  Till!  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


I2d 


for  wrapping  round  his  spear  liends.  At  Attn  i  saw  two  specimens  that  were  killed  in  the  latter 
part  of  March,  1881.  The  wings  had  been  cnt  off  and  the  body  partly  plucked  of  feathers.  This 
species  passes  the  winter  in  this  locality  and  may  be  found,  during  very  severe  weather,  about  the 
western  end  of  the  island  of  Attn.  1  received  a  head  (by  which  the  species  was  identified)  from 
Nushagak,  on  Bristol  Bay,  in  September,  1878. 

This  species  undoubtedly  breeds  near  some  of  the  places  mentioned  as  having  been  observed. 

80  b.  FULMARUS  GLACiALia  cii^uPisCHA  (Stejn.).     Pacijic  Fulmar. 

Hundreds  of  thous.inds  of  these  birds  were  seen  oil'  Uniniak  Pass  and  the  eastern  end  of 
Unalashka  Island;  in  fact,  they  covered  acres  of  water.  The  dark  form  prevailing  in  number, 
while  the  remainder  were  of  the  light  form.  To  the  westward  I  have  seen  them  less  abuiulant 
though  still  very  numerous,  near  Seguam  Island,  Kiska,  Amchitka,  Atkha,  and  plentiful  at 
Semichi. 

The  habits  of  this  bird  are  very  strange.  They  are  seldom  seen  during  stormy  weather  and 
then  only  individual  birds.  During  calm  periods  these  birds  sit,  some  few  miles  from  the  land,  on 
the  water  and  will  scarcely  endeavor  to  avoid  a  vessel  drifting  through  their  midst.  I  have  never 
seen  a  live  bird  of  this  species  either  on  or  over  the  laud.  Where  a  bird,  so  abunc^ant  as  this, 
breeds  or  what  its  specific  habits  are  I  am  unable  even  to  conjecture. 

"With  these  birds  are  associated,  in  a  nuiiiner,  another  bird  of  which  I  obtained,  at  Amchitka 
Island,  a  single  specimen,  which  had  been  thrown  up  dead  by  the  sea  and  so  far  advanced  in  decom- 
position that  to  lilt  it  separated  the  members  of  its  body.  This  dead  bird  resembled  those  asso- 
ciated with  the  Pacific  Fulmars  iind  was,  so  far  as  possible  to  identify  it,  a  specimen  of  Viiffinua  ten- 
uirostris  Temm.  Natives  of  Attn,  who  were  with  me  on  Amchitka  Island,  informed  me  that  birds 
of  this  kind  (like  the  dead  one)  breed  plentifully  on  the  Semichi  Islands. 

105.  OCEANODROMA  PURCATA  (Gmel.).  Fork  tailed  Petrel. 
A  single  specimen  of  this  Petrel  was  brought  to  me  by  a  native  who  had  killed  it  while  out  in 
his  bidarka  (canoe)  hunting  seals  oft"  Stewart's  Island.  They  are  said  to  be  rare  in  this  locality, 
though  abundant  far  out  to  sea.  I  had  observed  many  of  this  species  while  1  was  traveling  among 
the  (Vleutian  Islands.  Tbey  are  rarely  seen  near  land.  The  Atkha  peo[)le  assert  that  these  birds 
breed  abundantly  on  the  cliffs  of  Koroviusky  volcano,  on  the  northeast  shoulder  of  Atkha  ishiud. 
I  have  seen  this  species  as  far  westward  as  Attn  Island.  At  Atkha  a  native  brougiit  me  a  specimen 
of  this  bird,  but  it  had  been  kept  so  long  before  an  opportunity  occurred  to  permit  his  return  to 
the  village  that  the  bird  was  too  far  advanced  in  decomposition  to  allow  the  skin  to  be  taken  oil'. 
The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  0  In  il;  and  means  oil-eater.  Th  issert  that  this  bird  skims 
the  water  for  traces  of  oil  which  may  have  flowed  from  a  wounded  seal  or  whale,  and  that  large 
Hocks  of  them  will  follow  the  floating  carcass  of  a  seal  for  that  purpose. 

120&.  PiiALACKOCORAX  uii.opiius  ciNCiNATUS  (Brandt).     White-crested  Cormorant. 

The  White-crested  Cormorant  is  a  visitor  to  Saint  Michael's  by  the  tenth  of  June.  It  does  not 
occur  in  great  numbers  in  that  vicinity;  only  few  breed  here.  At  Besborough  Island,  some  forty 
miles  north  of  Saint  Michael's,  this  bird  breeds  in  abundance  on  the  walls  of  that  almost  inac- 
cessible island. 

A  young  bird  of  this  species  was  obtained  October  2, 1876.  The  gular  sack  is  yellow,  bill  i)alo 
with  darker  culmen ;  feet  and  webs  black.  Iris  dark  gray.  The  Eskimo  name  of  this  Cormorant  is 
Man  uthl  k<i  lik,  and  means  tongue  cut  off  short. 

The  white  plumes  on  the  head  of  this  Cormorant,  in  the  breeding  season,  are  used  by  the  in- 
habitants of  the  Aleutian  Chain  to  adorn  the  small  sacks  (used  as  worl-bags)  made  by  the  Aleut 
women.    The  feathers  of  the  neck  are  also  used  for  the  same  purpose. 

123.  PuALACROCORAX  PELAOicus  Pall.    Pelagic  Cormorant. 

In  most  localities  of  the  Aleutian  Islands  this  form  is  extremely  numerous.  Along  these  islands 
the  bird  is  a  constant  resident,  apparently  more  numerous  in  winter  than  in  summer. 

It  breeds  on  all  thQ  principal  islands.    The  nest  is  usually  placed  on  a  ledge  of  some  bold- 
S.  Mis.  155 17 


m 


1 1  '  mv 


i  I 


130 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


faced  rock ;  and,  in  most  instances,  about  forty  feet  above  the  sea.  The  nest  is  hirge,  built  of  sea- 
weeds, a  few  grass  stalks,  and  an  abundance  of  its  own  excrement. 

Tbey  are  filthy  about  their  nests;  the  walls  of  the  neighboring  rocks  are  covered  with  the  liquid 
excrement  of  this  bird,  and  may  ofteuer  lead  to  the  discovery  of  a  nest  than  any  other  sign.  The 
nests  which  I  observed  on  Arnchitka  Island  were  being  occupied  Juno  7.  The  eggs  number  three 
or  four,  blue  of  pale  shade  to  white  in  color.  They  receive  accumulations  from  the  nest  and  soon 
arc  indistinguishable  in  color.  The  young  are  hatched  by  the  middle  of  .Inly  and  take  to  the  water 
by  the  middle  of  August.  They  arc  then  scmewhat  heavier  than  the  old  bird.  The  young  assume 
the  adult  plumage  on  the  second  year.  The  color  of  the  bill  is  dark  on  the  ridge  and  yellowish 
below,  the  ui)per  mandible  having  a  greater  or  less  amount  of  dark  while  the  lower  is  nearly 
always  yellowisi.  with  perhai)8  a  lighter  tip  and  darker  base.  The  gular  sack  is  red  and  wrinkled. 
I  do  not  remember  to  have  heard  a  sound  uttered  by  this  bird. 

They  are  exceedingly  inquisitive  and  will  fly  round  ami  round  a  vessel  or  boat,  sometimes 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  sails.  When  on  the  nest  it  frequently  stretches  out  its  snake  like  neck  to 
watch  a  passing  canoe,  and  its  curiosity  not  being  satisfied  the  bird  will  leave  its  nest  to  follow. 

It  is  by  fur  the  most  beautiful  bin?  of  Heiing  Sea.  The  plumage  glitters  with  metallic  re- 
flections of  blue,  purple,  and  bronze. 

During  severe  weather  of  the  winter  and  fall  these  birds  resort  to  the  high  rocky  ledges  or 
the  single  rocks  which  jnt  from  the  sea.  Some  of  the  rocks  are  fairly  covered  with  these  birds, 
and  these  appearing  like  a  lot  of  black  bottles  standing  on  the  rock.  The  natives  of  all  j)arts  of 
the  country  use  the  flesli  of  this  bird  for  food.  Some  of  the  Aleuts,  especially  those  of  Attn,  prize 
the  flesh  more  than  any  other  bird.  They  formerly  obtained  many  of  these  birds  with  a  kind  of 
net  which  was  thrown  over  the  birds  when  sitting  c«;i  the  shore  rocks,  being  driven  there  by  tiie 
severity  of  a  storm  so  that  the  birds  could  not  ren)ain  on  tlie  outer  rocks  without  being  washed  oil". 

In  former  years  this  bird  was  reported  to  be  extrttiiely  abundant  at  Attn,  but  has  greatly  dis- 
appeared in  the  last  fifteen  years. 

Before  the  introduction  of  civilized  clothing  ihe  skins  of  these  birds  were  used  for  clothing. 
Fifteen  of  them  were  counted  as  a  luirha  or  long  gown-like,  garment. 

The  natives  of  Attn  have  spoken  to  uu^  of  another  cornuuant,  whicth  many  years  ago  abounded 
there,  but  in  the  last  fifteen  years  none  have  been  seen.  They  describe  it  as  being  Inlly  twice  as 
large  as  the  red-laced  cormorant  and  of  dill'erent  plumage.  From  the  description,  1  liave  reason 
to  suspect  that  the  bird  referred  to  was  Phdhicravovax ijempklllatm  I'all. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  species  is  (Ig  a  'liiik,  and  means  clilf-dweller.  This  word  is  also  used 
to  mean  any  kind  of  dried,  desiccated  meat. 

123a.  PuALACUOCOKAX  PELAGicus  KOBUSTlJS  Ridgw.     Yiolct-green  Cormorant, 
The  Violet-green  Cormorant  is  very  common  near  the  entrance  to  Saiut  Michael's.    Tliese  birds 
arrive  about  the  r)th  of  June  and  remain  until  the  ice  closes  in  in  October  or  November.    They 
frequent  the  rocky  shores  and  clifl's.    A  few  of  this  species  breed  near  Saint  Michael's. 

When  passing  along  the  shores  of  Rristol  Bay  I  observed  numerous  Cormorants,  which  I  also 
referred  to  the  present  form. 

124.  riiALACiJOfouAx  uiliLE  (Gmel.).  Reih/m-eiJ  Cormorant. 
A  single  specimen  of  this  Cormorant  was  obtained  at  Saint  Michael's.  I  did  not  to  a  certainty 
observe  it  in  any  other  locality,  though  it  is  known  to  occur  in  numbers  in  other  parts  of  the  ter- 
ritory. The  Hussians  have  the  word  U  reel  to  be  an  equivalent  with  our  word  Siiag  or  Cormorant; 
aud,  again,  the  Russian-speaking  population,  together  with  the  natives,  have  each  singular  ideas  of 
color,  so  that  any  attempt  to  obtain  information  of  birds,  by  describing  their  colors,  is  very  unsat- 
isfactory and  frequently  exasperating. 

129.  Merganser  americanus  (Cass.).    American  Merganser. 
A  pair  of  these  birds  was  seen  in  the  possession  of  a  native  at  Unalashka  Island,  January  17, 
1879.     He  would  not  part  with  them  on  any  consideration,  as  he  supposed  the  good  will  of  the 
person  to  whom  they  were  presented  to  be  of  more  value  than  anything  repeived  from  one  outside 


I 


■| 


0ONTBIBUTIOJS.S  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTOUY  OF  ALASKA.  131 

the  pale  of  his  church.    They  wore  the  only  oiiesof  this  species  seen  in  the  country.    At  Unalaslika 
Island  they  remain  during  the  winter,  but  do  not  breed  there  in  the  summer. 

130.  Meroansee  SEBnATOU  (Linn.).    Redhreasted  Merganser. 

The  Ked-broasted  Merganser  is  common  in  the  Saint  Michael's  district.  In  the  Aleutian  Island 
district  it  is  mot  with  in  pairs,  aiul  then  only  rarely.  It  is  more  abundant  at  Attn  and  Atkha  than 
any  other  of  the  larger  islands  visited  by  mo.  In  the  Saint  Michael's  district  it  arrives  early  in 
June  or  late  in  May  and  remains  throughout  the  summer  to  breed.  The  fully-tledged  young  were 
observed  there  in  September. 

At  Atkha  it  breeds  in  the  small  ponds  on  the  high  levels  of  the  mountains.  I  found  a  dead, 
young  bird  of  this  species  on  the  4th  of  July,  1880.  Among  all  these  islands  this  bird  is  a  con- 
stant r('-<ident. 

The  flesh  of  the  Ited-broasted  Merganser  is  quite  a  delicacy  among  the  Aleuts,  who  seem  to 
prize  it  higher  than  the  flesh  of  any  Duck. 

The  Eskimo  call  this  bird  Pi'  iil;  because  the  nest  is  shaped  like  the  Pi,  or  hole,  of  the  bidarka, 
or  canoe,  in  which  the  person  sits.    The  llussian  name  is  Kro  khdl, 

132.  Anas  bcschas  Linn.    Mallard. 

The  Mallard  is  a  common  duck  in  the  Yukon  district.  It  arrives  abont  the  1st  of  May  and  re- 
mains throughout  the  summer.  It  is  rarely  abundant  in  any  locality  and  seldom  seen  in  largo 
flocks  ;  half  a  dozen  individuals  usually  comprise  a  flock.  It  breeds  wherever  found  in  the  sum- 
mer season.     It  is  plentiful  on  the  Aleutian  Islands  in  winter. 

The  low  land  at  the  head  of  Captain's  Harbor,  on  Unalaslika  Island,  forms  a  winter  feeding- 
ground  for  hundreds  of  these  ducks,  where  they  congregate  in  large  flocks  in  December  and  the 
earlier  months  of  the  year  to  remain  until  the  season  is  sulliciently  advanced  to  lavor  their  north- 
ward migration.  Only  a  few  i)airs  were  ever  seen  at  Unalaslika  Island  in  the  breeding  season. 
At  Attn  Island  this  duck  is  common  in  winter.  It  breeds  si)aringly  at  Agattu  Island  and  on 
the  Scmiciii  Islands.  A  few  pairs  wore  also  observed  at  Amchitka  Island  in  the  latter  part  of 
May,  1881.  During  the  fall  and  winter  the  flesh  of  this  duck  is  excellent,  being  fat  aiul  tender. 
The  llussian  name  of  the  duck  is  S6  le  sen. 

135.  Anas  stbepeba  Linn.     Oadwall. 
A  single  specimen  of  the  Gadwall  was  obtained  at  Unalaslika  Island  in  December,  1878.     It  is 
not  common  among  the  Aleutian  Islands,  but  is  abundant  along  the  Yukon  Delta  district  in  sum- 
mer.   In  habits  it  is  nearly  identical  with  the  Pintail,  and  often  associated  with  them.    It  breeds 
in  the  high  latitudes,  but  not  on  the  Aleutian  Islands  that  I  am  aware  of. 

137.  Anas  Americana  Gmel.    Baldpate. 

The  Baldpate  is  not  abundant  in  the  Saint  IMichaol's  district.  It  arrives  about  the  S.^tli  of 
May,  or  even  later.  It  is  not  at  all  gregarious,  being  found  solitary  or  in  pairs.  It  fre(pients  the 
marshes,  preferably  those  which  are  overflowed  by  the  higher  tides  when  it  first  arrives.  As  soon  as 
the  sef.son  is  advanced  and  the  greater  part  of  the  snow  is  gone,  tho  little  rivulets  are  full  of 
nuidd,\  water  they  resort  to  these  places  for  food.  They  seem  to  delight  in,  shovelling  among  the 
mnd  ;n  search  for  their  food.  I  once  saw  two  ducks  (which,  at  the  distance,  I  could  not  recognize) 
feeding  in  one  of  these  small  mud  sloughs.  I  made  quite  a  detour :  one  ran  uj)  to  the  top  of  the 
bank  and  watched  me,  as  it  thought,  go  away,  and  quietly  returned  to  its  mate,  I  came  back  to  the 
jdace  by  another  way  and  approached  within  a  few  yards  of  them  unobserved.  They  plunged  their 
heads  at  times  completely  under  the  soft  soil  to  obtain  a  tender  root  or  slug.  They  seemed  to  be 
in  a  playful  mood,  as  they  freqnently  caressed  each  other  by  putting  their  heads  round  each  oth- 
er's necks  and  crowding  near  each  other.  One  finally  came  up  to  the  top  of  the  bank  and  was 
then  within  a  few  feet  of  me ;  with  a  spnttering  squak  it  flew  ofl"  until  I  dropped  it.  It  was  a 
male.    Tho  female  flow  off. 

The  flesh  of  the  Ualdpato  Is  fine  eating. 

I  have  never  observed  this  species  among  tho  eastern  Aleutian  Islands.    To  the  westward  I 


%         A 


132 


CONTUIBUTION8  TO  THE  NATUllAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


siiw  a  iiair  tliat  wore  feeding  at  the  mouth  of  a  little  Htream  which  runs  tlirough  tlie  village  on  Ka- 
zan IJay,  Atkiia  iNhuitl.     I  Hri'd  but  failed  to  obtain  them;    I  never  Haw  tliem  afterward. 

At  Attn  Island  the  Haldpate  is  rare,  a  summer  visitor,  and  not  aseertained  to  breed.  The 
conditions  on  Semielii  are  favorable  lor  a  breeding  locality  of  this  species. 

138,  Anas  crkooa  Linn.    European  Teal. 

A  male  of  this  sitecies  was  obtained  by  me  at  Aktha  Island  June  28,  1870.  As  it  was  the  only 
H|)eeiinen  observed  and  nothing  tliflering  in  habits  from  A.  caroliiicitseii  nt  the  time  it  was  procured, 
1  <!an  give  no  information  otiier  than  it  is  extremely  rare  and  not  known  to  be  other  than  a  sum- 
mer visitor  and  probably  breeding  among  tlie  islands  of  the  Aleutian  chain. 

This  is  the  first  spe<;imen  of  this  species  recorded  from  the  Pacilic  coast  of  North  America. 

139.  Anas  oakolinknsis  Cimelin.     Grecn-u-iniicd  Teal. 

This  beautiful  little  duck  is  found  in  all  ])artsof  Alaska.  It  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  by  the 
loth  of  May. 

It  never  occurs  in  large  (locks;  singly,  in  pairs,  or  less  than  half  a  dozen  individuals  being  the 
usual  numbers  seen  at  once. 

Along  the  low  lands  bordering  the  "<'anal,"at  .Saint  Michael's,  it  can  be  tbund  at  anytime 
from  May  to  Septend>er  li.lth.  It  breeds  among  the  sedges  at  the  margins  of  the  ponds.  In  tliofall 
it  resorts  to  the  lakes  of  the  higher  grounds.  This  bird  is  not  at  all  shy  and  eiuleavors  to  conceal 
itself  among  the  grasses  ratlu'r  than  [\\\n\  llight. 

Many  ol'  these,  ponds  have  a  species  of  grass  growing  on  (heir  margins  that  tbrms  a  kind  of 
matting  of  its  roots  ami  stalks  that  in  time  encroaclifs  on  the  pmid  in  such  manneras  to  completely 
cover  it.  Tliis  sends  its  tender  roots  down  into  the  watci'  and  in  time  foi  ins  snllicicnlly  fiiiii  masses 
to  walk  on.  The  Teals  seek  these i)laces  tor  food  ami  wlien  surprised  usually  tli\i'  under  llu>  mass 
of  vegetation  out  of  sight.  A  careful  search  will  sometimes  revealjust  their  head  and  neck  thrust 
out  of  some  hole  while  their  body  is  hidden  l)eIo\v. 

I  once  shot  a  Teal,  which  dove  under  the  edg((  of  the  grass  on  the  margin  of  a  ))ond  where  it 
was  sitting.  I  thrust  a  stick  umler  and  could  feel  foi'  over  a  yard  without  interferen<'e  of  grass- 
roots, yet  it  had  sutlieient  tirmness  to  sui)i)ort  me  even  on  its  edge.  1  llien  knew  how  it  was  that 
wounded  ducks  always  disappeared  in  such  a  hitherto,  mysterious  manner. 

I  liave  observed  the  (ireen-winged  Teal  at  the  mouth  of  tiie  Kuskokvim  Iiiver  in  the  early  part 
of  June,  1878,  and  in  the  same  month  at  Nushagak  settlement,  on  the  river  oflliat  name;  also  at 
Ugasik,  on  the  peninsula  of  Aliaska.  It. is  found  on  all  the  lai'ger  islands  of  the  Aleutian  Chain. 
At  Unalashka  it  occurs  in  the  neighborhood  of  Captain's  Harbor  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  It 
undoubtedly  breeds  theic,  although  1  have  not  seen  the  eggs  or  nest  in  that  exact  lo(!ality.  It 
also  occurs  on  allot  the  islamls  west  of  Uindashka.  At  Atkha,  Amchitka,  Semiclii,  and  Attn  it 
is  abundant.  At  Atkha  it  seems  to  i)refer  the  bars  that  make  oif  the  mouths  of  the  cieeks  wliiith 
empty  into  the  sea.  Just  below  the  village  on  Xazan  liay,  at  Atklia  Island,  is  a  small  stream  that 
throws  out  great  (juantities  of  sand,  gravel,  and  clay,  (ijuite  a  bar,  or  shallow  jjlace,  s  been 
formed  Ity  it,  and  when  the  tide  recedes  a  lai'ge  area  is  exposed,  to  which  (inlls,  Mallards,  and 
Teals  resort. 

At  Attn  the  Teals  frequent  the  southern  side  of  the  island  more  than  the  northern. 

At  the  Semichi  Islands  luunbers  breed  every  year  anu»ng  the  marshes  that  abound  tliere. 

At  Ainchitka  Island  they  were  extremely  abumlant  in  the  middle  of  May,  1881.  Along  all 
the  little  streams  that  were  cutting  dee])  into  the  earth,  and  so  narrow  that  the  tall  grass  (!()mpletely 
hid  them  for  many  yards  of  their  length,  the  Teals  were  Ibund  walking  along  under  sn(!h  j)lac(!S, 
searching  for  tender  roots  and  insects.  These  streams  are  not  long,  as  they  are  usually  the  outlets 
of  some  inland  lake,  and  their  sides  are  i)revented  from  widening  by  the  dense  mat  of  giassroots, 
so  that  their  streams  are  deep  and  narrow.  As  soon  as  the  current  has  excavated  bem-ath  the 
roots  of  grass  the  stream  widens,  and  the  banks  thus  form  an  overhanging  shelf  on  each  side. 
Under  these  places  the  Teals  resort,  so  that  it  is  dillicult  to  lind  them,  as  they  will  not  fly  up  while 
in  such  places. 


CONTIIIIUITIONS  TOTIIK  NATURAL  HISTORY  UF  ALASKA. 


133 


In  tho  evcniiif;  tlioy  iissiMiildo  in  tlio  laifjcr,  nIiuHow  luki^s,  and  even  then  nit  or  «li|j;  Mi'i^ly  or  in 
pairH,  aH  tlicy  arn  distiibntcd  over  t\n\  smliicc  ol'  (lio  lakos. 

At  Anicliitka  Inland  tlu-ii-  l)n'('diii;,'pla('i'N  arc  arnoiiJL;  tiic  tall  glasses  thai  };ro\v  on  llio  Nca- 
Hido  of  sandbankH  thrown  ajt  hy  the  o(;L'Mn,  or  oIhc  on  the  Hteeji  Nlopes  of  other  hills  faeiii{{ 
the  Hoa. 

The  (h'Hh  of  this  bird  is  excellent  and  nsnally  fat,  except  in  the  middle  snninier  months. 

Tho  Itnssian  name  of  this  species  is  Vhvi'ok. 

140.  Anas  disoous  Linn.    Blnewiiujed  Teal. 

Tho  IJIno-winfted  Teal  was  not  obtained  b.v  me.  A  imtive  had  a  speeimcn  which  he  had  killed 
in  the  lakes,  on  the  mainliind,  a  slioit  distance  from  the  Kedonbl.  'i'lie  bird  was  niinns  the  greater 
l»art  of  its  leathers,  cxcepliny  the  (piilis  of  the  winj;  and  feathers  of  tlit^  head.  'I'lie  s]ie(!nluni  of 
tho  winj;  was  sntUcient  to  determine  the  species,  i  saw  several  individuals  on  the  winjj  in  tho  fall, 
bnt  could  not  i)ro('ure  them. 

At  Atklia  Island,  July  7,  l.S7!>,  I  saw  a  female  of  this  species  sittinp  ainouf;  some  seaweeds  in 
a  place  where  1  could  not  approach  nnobscived.  I  hati  cartri(lK'<'s  loaded  only  with  No.  12  shot. 
I  waited  some  tim(>,  hoping  tln^  bird  would  approach  hulticicntly  near  to  kill  it  with  such  line  shot, 
bnt  when  lirisd  at  they  had  no  ellcct  on  the  bird. 

1  am  in(^line<l  to  bclic\cd  that  lliis  species  is  a  \'cry  irre^'ular  visitor  to  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
yet  the  (Jrccnwinj;cd  Teal  abounds  there. 

At  Saint  Michaers  it  is  not  at  all  common,  and  more  plentiful  in  the  spilM^  than  fall.  It  un- 
doubtedly breeds  in  the  interior. 

ML*.   Si'ATl'I.A  CLYl'lvATA  (Ijjliri.),      iSlii)irl<:r. 

The  Slioxt'lei' is  a  rare  bird  in  the  \icinity  of  Saint  Micliaers.  Tin- oiil_\  ,'-]:i  CiU  i  n  oliiainnl 
by  lue  M'as  shot  near  the  "  canal  "  (ui  the  l.'.-»th  of  May,  I.S77.  ll  is  lare  from  the  inv.t  of  the  many 
linndreds  of  birds  bron;^lit  by  the  natixcs  to  llii^  sloic  to  sell  I  never  found  one  of  this  species 
timon^r  them. 

14.S.  DaI'MI.a  Aci'TA  (Linn).     I'iutnU. 

The  Pintail  is  a  common  duck  in  the  Saint  Micliaer.s  district.  It  arrhcswith  the  earliest 
birds,  early  in  May,  and  remains  until  late  in  September,  ll  breeds  anion};  the  la^^ooiis  w  lii(^li 
abound  in  this  locality. 

The  I'intail  is  found  spariii<;Iy  on  I'lialasliKa  Island  In  N'ovcmlper.  It  does  i  ot  winter  on  tlit* 
Aleutian  Islands  to  my  kn()wled;;e,  as  none  were  ever  obsciAed  tlii'ic  later  than  that  month. 

This  duck  feeds  principally  on  the  tender  shoots  of  scd;;es  and  other  j^rasses  that  ^m'ow  round 
the  niai'sius  of  lli(^  marshes.  1'hey  become  \eiy  fat,  and  an^  then  sluji};ish  and  slow  to  rise.  In 
the  spriiifi  they  are  lean  and  rather  shy.  They  lly  faster  than  any  other  duck.  'J'heii  llesli  is 
excellent  in  the  fall. 

This  bird  is  usually  found  in  small  Hocks  or  in  pairs. 

148.  AytiiyA  matmLiV  NKA1!("J'I<;A  Ste.ju.     American  Si'anp  Piirl.-. 

Tho  Scaup  J)uck  is  not  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Alicliael's.  It  ])refers  localities  with 
]iigbcr  coasts  than  there.  It  is  sai<l  to  bi^  r.ithei'  identiful  on  the  outside  of  Stewart's  Island  and 
in  the  neiffliborhood  of  Unalakhlit. 

This  bird  arrives  there  as  soon  as  the  sea  is  partially  free  from  ice.  In  this  locality  I  never 
found  tho  nest  or  e;;f;s,  but  it  undoubtedly  breeds  there. 

It  is  common  along  the  entire  Aleutian  Clialn,  but  it  is  shy  and  dinicult  to  obtain.  It  in  more 
abundant  in  winter  than  in  summer,  and  remains  the  entire  year, 

150.  Aythya  fOLLAUis  (Douov.).     Ixhiff-nccli'd  Ihuh. 

This  bird  is  not  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michaers.  It  arrives  as  .soon  as  the  sea  isjiar- 
tially  free  from  ice,  this  date  Iteing  vaiiable — May  !t  to  the  lust  of  the  month.  It  also  frefinenta 
the  brackish  lagoons  in  the  eailier  months.    The  nest  and  cfigs  were  not  obtained. 

It  is  rarely  seen  about  the  Aleutian  Islands,  It  is  so  shy  as  to  scarcely  permit  apiiroach  with- 
in giiurange. 


P 


,ii|i.iuiliypmjii^ii 


WWie^W'^CIfW' 


"I  l|HP.!IIWHPI|p»»»B>^iiiiWW^iiM *•.!«*■ 


134 


OONTUimiTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


At  Aiiicliitka  Island  I  olisoived  a  mal«  of  tliis  spccins  in  a  frosli-water  lako  near  tlio  coutorof 
tlio  JHland.  Tho  bird  was  extrcinoly  sliy,  and  nnder  no  (•irciiiiistanccH could  I  ai)proacli  within  Huf- 
ll(!iont  distanco  to  pniciiio  it  without  it  instantly  dovo  out  of  sifflit  and  disaiipcarcd.  1  susijpctod 
the  fonuilo  to  liavc  a  nest  in  the  vicinity,  although  I  could  never  detect  her  wherealtoutH, 

In  Cliichagof  Harbor  (Attn  Island)  I  observed  several  individuals  of  this  species  durini;  tlie 
winter  of  188(>-'81.  1  repeatedly  attempted  to  secure  them,  but  failed  on  aceiuuit  of  the  shyness  ol 
tho  bird.  AVhencver  observed  at  this  place  the  bird  was  always  alone;  two  or  more  were  never 
Hoen  at  a  time. 

150.  Olaikuonktta  cf-anoula  ami;ui<!ANA  (litump.).    American  QoUkncye. 

A  sin{jle  spccMnien  of  this  bird  was  bn)u;;ht  to  \w  at  Haint  Michael's,  but  it  was  in»t  in  condi- 
tion to  save  the  skin.  It  docs  not  appear  iu  any  numbers  there.  The  few  to  bo  seen  were  individ- 
uals, always  singly. 

It  is  not  conunon  among  the  Aleutian  Islands,  In  Uiialaslika  it  was  obtained  in  the  nmnth  of 
December,  and  reuuiins  there  all  winter.  It  was  never  observed  there  iu  suninior,  and  at  no  season 
among  the  extreme  western  islands. 

153.  ClIAIHTONKTTA  ALHKOI.A  (TJnu.).     UtiOlnJieitd. 

Tlio  IJuUlchead  is  not  common  in  tbo  Saint  IMichael's  district,  and  not  i»k'nliful  anywhere  in 
the  territorv  that  has  come  under  my  observation. 

It  occurs  at  Unalashka  in  the  winter,  when  my  sj)eciuiens  were  obtained.  It  was  not  observed 
to  the  westward  on  the  Aleutian  Chain,  except  rarely,  and  then  only  in  the  winter. 

154.  Cl.ANOUI.A    TIYKMALl.S   (Liuil.).      Olil-Sfllinir. 

The  Old-squaw  is  a  couiuiou  sea-duck  in  all  parts  ot  tlie  Saint  Michael's  dislricl.  It  arrivtw 
early  in  May  and  remains  until  the  ice  closes  iu  November.  It  winters  among  the  entire  Aleuti.i.i 
Chain,  and  is  extremely  abundant  there.  They  breed  to  the  far  northern  regions,  and  only  spar- 
ingly at  Saint  Michael's.  It  oidy  sparingly  breeds  along  the  Aleutian  Islands  auunig  the  fresh- 
water ponds.  It  is  essentially  marine  in  iis  habits,  and  was  never  observed  iu  the  fresh  water 
lakes  or  streams  excepting  during  the  breeding  season.  It  is  remarkably  strong  in  flight  and 
alights  on  the  water  with  a  haid  <lash,  making  the  water  tly  for  many  feet.  It  al.-o  ascends  to 
gicat  Iicights  as  it  tlics  from  one  locality  to  another,  if  distant.  It  is  very  noisy  and  the  note  nniy 
bo  heard  a  great  distance.  The  natives  of  Attn  call  this  bird  ^1  Idng  iik,  from  its  note,  which  is 
repeated  at  short  intervals. 

It  congregates  iu  large  Hocks,  sometimes  of  over  a  hundred.  They  search  for  their  food  in  the 
shallower  places  in  the  coves  ami  bays.  \Vhen  searching  for  food  they  string  out  In  a  long  lino 
and  swim  abreast.  At  a  signal  ono  at  tho  extreme  end  goes  down,  the  rest  follow  in  regular  time, 
never  all  at  once,  and  rarely  more  than  two  or  three  at  a  time.  The  last  one  goes  down  iu  his 
turn  with  the  regularity  of  clock-work.  As  they  dive  they  seem  to  go  over  so  far  as  to  throw  the 
long  tajl  feathers  until  they  touch  water  on  the  other  side.  They  remain  nnder  water  a  long 
time,  and  usually  come  np  near  each  other.  They  utter  their  noi.sy  notes  and  again  spread  out 
for  another  dive.  When  wounded  they  swim  many  yards  under  the  water.  The  flesh  of  this  duck 
is  not  unpalatable,  but  has  a  decided  fishy  odor,  which  may  disappear  if  tho  bird  is  cleaned  and 
hung  away  for  awhile. 

155.  IIiSTKiONicus  niSTHiONicus  (Linn.).    Ilorlequm  IJucl: 

This  pretty  duck  is  not  common  in  theimmediate  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.  South  of  that 
place  it  becomes  more  numerous,  and  extremely  abundant  around  all  tho  Aleutian  Lsl.inds.  It  pre- 
fers the  rocky  places,  exposed  reefs,  and  shallow  gravelly  banks  that  are  altorimtely  covered  or 
left  bare  by  the  sea.  The  food  of  this  duck  is  of  an  aninud  nature.  Shellfish  of  all  kinds  do  not 
come  amiss,  the  common  black  mussel  (Mytclis  cdulis)  being  its  favorite  food.  Those  mussels  are 
everywhere  abundant  on  tho  rocks  that  are  not  exposed  to  too  great  a  swash  from  tho  sea.  Among 
the  coves  and  small  indentations  of  the  sea,  especially  if  in  the  neighborhood  of  small  islets,  these 
dncks  are  to  be  found  in  great  numbers.  They  dive  after  the  mussels,  and  are  frequently  caught 
by  the  shellfish  and  held  until  tho  former  are  drowned  and  cease  their  struggles,  upon  which  they 


CONTUIIUITIONS  TO  TIIK  NATUHAFi  HlSTOItY  OK  ALASKA. 


135 


arc  roIiMised.  This  bird  m  not  atallNliy.  They  luo,  in  tlif  niiddio  of  llic  viidDi,  UHUidly  I'oiind 
BJiiKly  or  in  Hninll  tlookH,  At  thi8  HcnHon  tlioy  will  I'ven  Ncpiirato  tlicir  rankH  to  allow  a  caiuiu 
pasH  l)«twtwu  tlioni,  or  ol.w  lly  a  low  yards  and  a>,'aiu  stttle.  They  nnnally  are  near  tho  8lioro, 
Bcardnn;?  tlui  Hhaljow,  pehbly  places  for  food  wIumi  llic  surf  is  hi«li.  Winn  a  l)n'aki'r  ('omics  over 
them  they  tiive  until  it  (lasses.  At  Attn  1  have  seen  them  tlivt^  iiefore  a  breaker  strnt^k  them,  and 
in  such  shallow  water  that  I  often  wondered  how  they  held  on,  aH  they  come  up  at  times  not  a  foot 
from  where  they  went  down.  They  have  a  peculiar  whistle  for  a  note,  and  in  the  niatin>;  season, 
early  in  Mareh,  they  assemble  in  lari^t^r  tlocks  (sometimes  as  many  as  twenty  or  thirty  individinils 
forma  Hock);  they  then  constantly  inter  this  whistle,  as  they  chase  each  other  o\er  and  through  the 
water.  Several  males  \vill  attend  one  female  dnrinjj  this  season  until  she  selects  lier  choice.  Dur- 
ing the  breeding  sciison  I  have  seen  three  males  with  one  femide. 

The  tiesh  of  this  duck  is  good,  but  somewhat  llshy. 

The  Aleuts  have  but  little.  liking  for  its  tlesh,  as  they  seldom  slmol  it  when  tlic.\  have  oppor- 
tunity. 

The  nest  and  eggs  were  not  procured  and  the  only  nest  i  ever  saw  was  near  llinliuk  village, 
on  Llnalashka  Islaial.  Two  immense  blocks  of  rock  had  become  detached  from  the  <iliil' above,  and 
when  they  fell  their  edges  formed  a  hollow  place  beneath.  In  under  this  I  discovered  a  deserted 
nest,  which  the  native  who  was  with  nic  asseited  was  that  of  a  bird  of  tins  species.  The  foiiii 
was  similar  to  that  of  the  nest  of  C.  hi/vmiilis,  and  in  liUit  so  closely  resembled  it  that  I  persisted 
in  it  being  of  this  bird  until  the  native  asked  me  if  I  did  not  know  that  the  Old  s(iuaw  did  not  build 
in  such  i»laces. 

li'tl.    KNlfiONKirA    STKI.LKIU   (Pall.).      Stfllll'ti    l)Hik. 

Steller's  Duck  is  rare  at  Haint  Michael's. 

On  the  southern  and  eastern  shores  of  ISristol  I!ay  and  the  norlliern  shores  of  Aliaska  this 
species  is  i)lentil'ul. 

Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  is  only  rarely  seen  in  summci'.  In  winter  it  abounds  in  Cap- 
tain's Harbor  on  I'nalashka  Island.  It  kee])s  offshore  and  ventures  nearer  only  in  boisljMous 
weather.  It  dives  deep  in  the  water  for  its  food,  and  remains  under  a  .!;i  it  length  of  time.  Its 
food  is  of  an  animal  nature,  procured  from  the  sea. 

[  was  never  able  to  procure  the  eggs  of  this  species. 

The  winter  iiliunage  of  the  male  is  cxtrcnu'ly  beautiful.  The  top  and  sides  of  the  head  silky, 
silverywliite,  with  faint  greenish  shadeon  forehead  and  lores;  an  anteorbital  spot  of  velvetv  green; 
eircuniorbital  black  spot,  narrow  in  front  and  wider  behind;  an  tjccipital  band  of  green,  having  a 
minute  black  edge  at  the  lateral  ends;  rest  of  head  and  ujiper  hinil  neck  white;  chin  and  throat 
black,  with  bluish  reflection;  a  narrow  collar  of  greenish  blue-black  on  neck  in  front,  which  in  the 
liind  neck  is  coiitiiiiious  with  the  same  color  on  the  back,  licioiniiig  ])iirplisli  blue-black  on  the 
upper  back  and  darkening  ixistcviinly,  wlieie  the  rump  and  njipcr  tail  coverts  are  lustrous,  dark 
sluty  black.  The  scapulars  and  inter.scaiiulars  long,  and  the  latter  linear,  having  the  exterior 
web,  with  brilliant,  violet  blue-black  retlection  on  each  of  the  linear  leathers;  flic  inner  web  white, 
and  each  of  the.se  feathers  tipped  with  white.  The  specnluiii  of  same  color,  but  with  a  white  in- 
terior spot  on  ea(^h  feather,  forming  a  perpentlicular  bar;  preceding  the  s]ieciiliim  is  a  white  bar, 
having  nearly  double  tlu^  width  of  llie  posterior  one.  Wing  slaty  lilack,  rather  liglicr  toward  the 
insertion  of  the  (piills;  tail  same  color  as  wings.  A  narrow  white  tollar  incircling  the  np|)er  breast 
and  broadening  out  on  the  sides  of  the  lower  hind  neck.  A  small  blue-black  sjtot  on  the  sides  of 
the  lireast  where  the  feathers  overlap  tlu^  carpal  joint  of  the  closed  wing.  Under  surface  of  the 
body  deep  brownish  black,  darkening  jiosteriorly,  to  become  black  on  the  erissum  and  uiuler  tail- 
coverts,  and  becoming  rich  reddish  brown  on  l)reast  and  sides,  which  on  the  upper  sides  and  upper 
breast  bc(!ome  butf,  fading  to  a  creamy  white  on  the  shoulders  and  under  the  wings.  The  sides 
directly  under  the  carpal  joint  of  the  closed  wing  have  a  distinct  black  blotch  of  small  size. 

The  female  in  winter  has  the  head  light  olive-brown,  slightly  mixed  with  rufous  and  finely 
marked  with  black,  producing  faint  narrow  bars.  On  the  neck  and  upper  back  the  reddish  brown 
is  confined  to  a  crescentic  margin  and  tip  to  eacli  feather,  inclosing  a  small,  rounded  black  spot, 
the  nnddle  having  a  narrow  tip  of  reddi.sh  brown  of  darker  shade  to  eairli  feather,  l)eeonnng  ab.so- 


''V. 


Hi' 


13('> 


CONTnilUfTIONS  TO  TIIK  NATURAL  HISTOUY  OF  ALAHKA. 


Intt'ly  Imrrod  with  Mack  aiul  licli  cliPHfmil  on  niinp  iiiul  ui)itt'r  tiiilcovoilH.  ScapuliirN  ratlicr 
liKlitcr  llisiii  back  aiul  with  a  iiairow  rtl^iii^'  of  l)rowiii.><h  on  t'atli  riathcr,  the  tipH  of  tlii>  iin«>nr 
intcisc-apniaiM  witii  Milvcr.N  };ray.  ^^  iun  rich,  daik  clu'stiint.  Thi'  spccnlnin  hhiinh  liliick,  ('(incil 
Willi  white  as  a  wiih'i'  liar  antnioilv  and  miitdwrr  poNtciioilv  with  Hit' while  liar.  lireaNl  and 
Nidt'H  ricb.  li^hl  icddiNli  Inowii,  with  a  r<aiiidt'd  dot  nf  lihirkiHh  liiown  on  each  tcallii  r.  TlicNe 
coloi'H  heconic  lilendcd  on  the  lircast  and  aiidoineii  to  piddiice  u  dark  lirowni.sh  black  on  tlio,s«t 
piirtH,  and  darkening'  poNterioily.    The  iris  dark  brown,  bill  dnsky  horn  bine,  feet  diiNky  olivo. 

On  Hie  western  inlands  of  tlie  chain  I  have  observed  this  dnck  to  be  <|iiite  ph'titifnl  abont  llin 
Nearer  Islands  dniiiifj;  winter,  and  few  were  seen  alonj;  the  western  end  of  Attn  in  .Inly,  IHHO, 
the  naliv(>M  nHHcrlin^;  that  it  breeds  spiirin;:i,\  on  Alalia. 

Ifi8.  AucTONi-.TTA  FisoiiinM  (Itiaiidt).     SiwvtacUil  Eider. 
This  hu'fje  Midcr  is  coniiiiiin  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Micliacl's,  where  it  arrives  early  in  May. 
Alon;;  the  coast  of  ISristol  liay  it  is  extremely  abundant  with  others  of  this  p'niis. 
Its  iiestin;;  habits  are  similar  to  that  of  the  Kin^  lOider. 

'I'liis  sjietMes  occuis  amoiiK  all  the  Aleutian  Islands,  where  it  breeds  anil  is  a  constant  rcsldiMit, 
but  e.\treinely  shy. 

1(11.  HoMATKlUA  V-NKiiiA  (!ray.     I'uci/ic  IJitlir. 

Tlie  I'aeille  Kitler  is  to  Ix^  found  in  all  parts  of  Alaska  tlial  have  conu^  under  my  idtservtitioii, 
viz  :  Norton  Sound  and  coast  soiitli  tol'eninsulaof  AliasKa.  am!  west  lo  A  tin  of  I  he  Aleutian  Islands, 
antl  east  to  tluM'ntrancc  of  Cook's  Inlet  and  nci^^liboiliood  of  Kadiak.  At  Kaiul  Michael's  it  is 
cominon,  iirrivint;  as  soon  as  the  sea  ice  breaks  in  the  sjiriuK.  '^'y  earliest  specimen  was  .May  .'Jl, 
1.S7.".. 

In  ISristol  Hay  it  is  plentiful  and  extremely  abundant  in  the  iiei;iliborhood  of  IJ^asik.  where  I 
liitve  Hccii  thousands  at  a  linu-  on  I  he  bais  lel't  by  ilie  i'eccdin<;  tides  on  Hie  iiorthcastern  siiores  of 
Aliaska. 

.\monf;  the  .Meutian  Islands  it  is  a  constani  icsidont,  the  f;reater  number  beiujL;  found  in 
winter. 

At  Saint  Mi'  liMcl's  they  breed  in  considerable  nuiiilieis  and  there  prefer  the  o|icn  tiniilni  for  a 
ncsliui;  ]ilace.  .\  nest  was  found  uiHi  eleven  e;:';:s  on  the  hillside  alioul  half  a  niile  back  of  tlii^ 
Hedoulit.  The  nest  was  made  in  a  mossy  situation,  con.si.vHuff  ol  few  blades  of  grass  and  well  lined 
with  the  .sooty-colored  down  from  the  abdomen  of  the  bird  itself. 

Alon^;  the  Aleutian  Islands  the  bird  [irefcrs  the  stee]!  slopesliea\  ily  I'lothcd  svith  rank  ;;ras.se8, 
such  as  wild  rye  ( I'll/ mux),  which  ^rows  in  liuj;f  tussocks,  amon}^;  wliicli  the  nest  is  hidden.  A  sli<jht 
depression  is  scratched  out  ;  the  en{{s  ari'  placed  on  the  bare  •ground,  the  down  beiii,!;  used  only 
HH  a  cover  for  the  eggs  when  the  parent  is  absent  fioin  the  nest.  The  eggs  :<ie  never  jilaced  on 
the  down. 

The  down  is  jilucked  from  the  brea.st  for  that  purpose  only,  and  increases  in  amount  as  the 
increased  complement  of  eggs  demands  a  greater  amount  ofcoN'criug. 

The  nest  when  first  scratched  out  is  usually  left  to  drj  out  several  days  before  it  is  used,  as  the 
bare  spots  were  sometimes  seen  a  week  bcfoic  an  egg  was  dejiositcd.  With  the  lirst  egg  only  a 
small  (piantity  of  down  was  found  in  the  nest,  and  will  be  replaced  two  or  three  times  if  removed. 
When  the  nest  is  full  of  eggs  and  they,  with  all  the  down,  are  removed,  the  bird  seeks  some  other 
locality  for  again  laying  fewer  eggs,  generally  not  more  than  live  for  the  .second  nest.  Another 
]ieculiarity  that  was  brought  to  my  notice  by  a  native  was  that  these  birds  usually  seek  some  slope 
where  the  Duck  Hawk  has  its  nest  on  the  high  point  lorming  one  end  of  the  slope.  This  was  true 
in  three  instances  that  came  under  my  observation.  The  Eiders  were  more  numerous  in  Hueh  local- 
ities than  otheiwise.  The  natives  always  are  glad  when  the.  Hawk  comes  .screaming  overhead  as 
the  canoe  is  being  paddled  along  the  shore,  for  they  know  the  nest  of  the  Haw  k  is  near  and 
that  many  nests  of  tlie  Kider  will  be  found  close  by.  The  female  Eider  becomes  very  fat  in  the 
breeding  .season.  Thi  <  may  in  a  measure  compensate  for  the  loss  of  the  down  from  her  breast. 
The  skin  on  the  breast  also  is  thicker  and,  with  the  layer  of  fat,  will  be  over  half  an  inch  in  thick- 
ness.   The  male  Eiders  are  at  this  season  very  poor  and  lean. 


(3()NTUIhlJTI<)N8  TO  Till:  NaTUUAL  IIISTOKY  OF  ALAHKA. 


137 


In  the  •  iuIy  Hpriiij;  I  luivf  hih'D  iin  iniiiiy  iih  Ncvt'ii  iniilt'N  t'ollowiiitj  (tiic  (Viimlo  hh  tlii-y  wpn^ 
tlyiii^;  Ity.  I  I'liitlifr  lii>lirvt>  Unit  a  IViinilc  In  iicv«>i'  iittciiiliMl  )iy  ii  hjiikIi'  mult',  iih  alwiiVN  two  or 
inoi'(>  iiiiilcH  wcro  Hft-ii  with  it  t'ciniili'.     At  all  Nt'iiHoiiH  oC  tlu'  yt'iir  tlio  iiihU'h  iiro  iiiort'  iiiiintM'oiiH 

tllHIl   tilt*   tt'llllllt'H, 

Tli«^  KitN'iH  iiev«r  rt»Mi)il  to  the  IVcnIi  water  |»oiuIn.  Tlu'y  aieMi'»Mi  in  tin*  vicinity  of  frcMli  watt^r 
only  wlicn^  a  .small  (Mcck  i>iii|itii's  into  the  nisi,  ami  wiTf  tlii'ii  Ntiitpost'il  to  he  tlicn>  lor  the  |iiii'|ion(> 
ot'olitaiiiiii^  Ii'cnIi  water  todiiiik.  The  t'ooil  ot  the  J'^idciN  Ih  of  an  animal  nature.  Tliey  dive  and 
obtain  inoNt  of  tlieir  food  Iroui  thv  bottom  irt'  the  bayH  and  fov(>H.  They  remain  under  tlie  water 
fur  a  lon^i;  time,  and,  while  niider,  Nwim  exa.s|)eratin^ly  lont;  diHtanees. 

The  bird  i.s  very  NJiy  exeept  when  on  land  diirint;boiNteron»«  weather.  At  that  time  thenativeN 
oftliu  weNtein  iHlandH  of  the  Aleutian  ('haiii  iiHed  rimall  hand  netM  to  throw  over  the  birdH  at*  they 
Hat  Htnpidl,\  on  the  .shore.  A  bii^ht  iii{{ht  with  a  hard  pale  of  wind  waH  tln^  best  lime  'o  seeurii 
them.  The  birds  then  sit  in  a  linddle  and  many  are  eaiif^ht  at  one  throw  of  the  net.  The  natives 
assert  thai  lh«^  coiiiiiion  Hair  Seals  (tateh  thesis  birds  wiien  on  the  water  and  dra^  them  under  to 
play  with  them  ;  hence,  these  birds  are  constantly  on  the  alert  for  seals  and  take.  Ili^ht  as  .soon  as 
H  Meal  is  dis(M>vered  near. 

The  yoiin}{  male  Kiders  assume  the  adult  plumage  completely  only  a'  the  begiiiiiiii^  of  the 
third  year. 

The  Kskinu)  name  of  this  bird  is  mi't  hiik,  and  Ih  derived  from  the  dull,  liissin);  sound  uttered 
by  thiM  Mpo'ies  when  disturbed. 

KiL*.  H()MATi;i{i.\  .si'KCTAnii.is  (Linn.).     King  FAdtT. 

The  King  Kidcr  is  not  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Haiiit  Michael's  during  the  Minimer.  It  i.i 
more  abundant  in  spring  and  tall.  It  breetls  sparingly  at  Saint  Michael's.  I  never  obtained  itH 
ne«t,  but  saw  the  binls  under  ciitiimstanccs  that  (taiise  mo  to  assert  that  it  breeds  there. 

It  oc(;iirs  among  the  eastern  Aleiilian  Islands,  inoro  abundantly  in  winter  than  in  summer. 

Tlie  nesting  habits  (d'  this  «iiecies  are  identical  with  that  of  V-niyra. 

Ui3.  OiUKMiA  AMKKKiANA  (Sw.  &  Hicli.).     AmericaH  Scoter. 

The  American  Scoter  arrives  at  Saint  Midiael's  by  the  1st  of  .Iiine  and  remains  until  about 
the  last  of  October,  or  when  the  icy  slush  begin.s  to  form  on  the  sea.  They  are  not  plentiful,  at 
least  in  that  iiiimedialc  vicinity.     A  few  miles  further  up  the  coast  they  are  more  abiiiid'iiit. 

Along  the  shores  of  Aliaska  and  the  water.s  of  Bristol  ISay  I  saw  numbers  of  these  birds  in 
1878,  but  under  such  clrcninslances  that  I  was  unable  to  obfain  them. 

Ainoi  g  the  Aleutian  Islands  they  are  to  be  found  throughout  the  year,  though  more  plentiful 
during  the  winter,  and  breeding  sparingly  along  the  entire  chain. 

They  are  not  gregarious,  rarely  more  than  three  or  four  together ;  and  cd'ten  only  Holitary. 
When  alone  they  are  easily  approached  if  the  bidarka  is  directed  so  as  to  i>ass  them  at  a  few  rods, 
Tbey  often  dive  and  remain  under  water  an  astonishingly  great  i»eriod,  and  frequently  never  appear 
in  sight,  though  the  water  may  be  perfectly  calm  and  allow  careful  sean-h. 

The  male  is  noted  for  the  gibbosity  of  pinkish-white  near  base  of  bill ;  the  lower  edge  of  the 
swelling  is  deep  red,  giadiiall.s  blending  with  the  black  of  the  rest  of  the  bill. 

Thetlesh  is  excellent  during  the  winter.  They  feed  on  mollusks  and  other  animal  life;  yet  the 
flesh  does  not  acquire  a  strong  taste. 

The  Kiissians  call  this  duck  Tiirpdn. 

165.  OiDKMlA  DEGLANUI  (Hoiiap.).      Whitcvhiged  Scoter, 
I  found  this  Sc'oter  to  be  rare  in  all  localities  visited  by  me.     It  does  not  occur  except  sparingly 
ctmoiig  the  Aleutian  Islands  that  I  could  discover. 

A  single  8]>ecimen  was  obtained  at  Saint  Michael's.     I  know  nothing  of  its  habits. 
Another  individual  of  this  species  was  iirocured  April  'JO,  1870,  at  Unalashka  Island  and  incor- 
rectly referred  to  ().  fuxca  Liniic,  but  upon  more  careful  examination  it  proved  to  be  this  species. 

l(!(i.  OiUKMiA  I'KusriciLi.ATA  (Liiiii.).     Surf  tScotcr. 
The  Surf  Duck  is  common  in  all  localities  of  the  Yukon  d.sirict  bordering  on  the  sea,  but  be- 
comes more  abundant  to  the  southward. 
S.  Mis.  155 18 


f         I 


138 


CONTKIBlITIOIirS  T«>  THE  NATUliAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


.  *■; 


It  is  c.  iiinioii  iiinoiid  i'le  Aleiitiaii  Islands.  It  t'rcq.uMil.s  llie  !ar."er  covi'.s  iiiiil  bays,  where 
ill  favoi'cil  .sitiiatioiis  tliis  itird  i.s  abinidaiit  in  wIiiiim-. 

(t  is  r  .tlier  sliy,  but  wlicii  siii^rl*!  or  in  jiairs  it  !>ia,\  In-  appioaciicd  to  witliiii  Ion;'  raiiffo.  Tuts 
fav'jiite  way  to  ol)tain  tliis  ducrk  is  to  wait  until  it  di>-  s,  tluMi  to  fjo  to  w  licit'  it  will  cohh'  up.  It  is 
then  so  confused  tliat  ample  time  is  piveii  lo  obtain  a  shot  at  shortt-r  ianK»'.  When  wounded  this 
diiek  will  dive  and  swi.n  for  two  or  three  hundred  yards.  I  have  wounded  them  and  waited  for 
twenty  ini.nrres  >  have  Uiein  reiij^pear.  They  oiten  sink  to  the  l)otto!ii,  as  they  die  under  .vater, 
and  there  is  ,«ot  suHicieiit  tiir  iii  tliei'- '.nnjjs  totidat  tlteni.  If  not  this, there  is  always  some  bi{j  lish 
tliat  aeeonipai.'es  the  hi'iterand  takes  the  bird  only  after  it  has  dived  under  the  water. 

Unless  the  bird  is  killed  outrif;ht  there  is  hut  little  ehance  lo  oltlain  u. 

They  have  a  peculiar  habit  of  sf retelling  iii>  their  necks  as  though  lliey  had  swinii  throat 
dlsaase  like  tbe  "  papes"  in  the  younj:  chickens. 

The  flesh  o'  tlii.i  duck  is  very  nice,  and  if  well  iirc)iared  is  ex(!cllcnt  food,  being  free  from  any 
strong  odors.  Its  food  is  obtained  froni  the  bottom  of  the  bays  and  coves,  and  coiisisi.  almost 
entirely  of  slielltisl.i  and  worms  that  are  found  among  the  rocks. 

The  Surf  i>".ck  is  the  ISrextun,  or  Whistler,  of  the  Ilussians. 

KiOn,  Chkn  .lYPKUBOlJKA  (Tall.).     LcKniT  '<noir  Goosv. 

The  White  or  Sue \v  Goose  arriv  's  :u  the  Yiik'jn  district  early  .'n  May  It  is  usually  contein- 
porai,,'  ill  its  arrival  *vith  the  White  fronteil  (lOosc  and  ti.c  Nortiici'i  C;'ane  {(f.  caiKulcnsis). 

It  occurs  only  sparingly  in  tiie  viciiiity  of  Saint  Miciiael's,  an  remains  but  few  days  until  i; 
goes  farther  north.  1  .mii  not  aware  iiiat  it  breeds  soutii  of  the- Ar<ti<' Circle.  They  do  not  retuiii 
along  the  coast  in  *be  fall  by  «ay  of  Saint  Hicliael's.  They  are  usually  .m  the  wing  by  l(t  o'clock 
ol  each  day,  and  to  jirocnre  these  birds  one  must  s^eek  them  at  early  ,lav. n  while  they  are  feeding 

Their  flesh  is  only  tolerable  eitii;^,  ii  S-ing  lean  and  has  a  peculiar  odor. 

This  is  the  P.uHy  (iookc  (Vliite  'Joose)  of  tlie  Russians. 

It  is  not  known  lo  wint'.T  in  any  j'lut  of  Alaska.  It  does  not  occur  on  any  of  the  Aleut. an 
Islands,  even  during  the  migrations. 

ITlrt.  .\NSKK  AT-nTi''Rf'NS  OAMHKM  iHartl.).     Ameiico)!  Whilcfronied  (iooKv. 

This  sjiecies  of  goose  arrives  at  Saint  Miclniel's  as  early  as  .Vjiril  '.',T  in  favorable  yeais,  and 
rarely  later  than  t!ic  lt»th  of  May  i"  any  ye:-:.    By  the  L'.'ith  of  May  they  are  abundant. 

It  Inhabits  the  fieshwnte  lyns,  and  is  essentially  -i  vegetarian.     'I'he  only  animal  looii 

found  in  their  crops  was  aipiaiii.  )a:  va-  and  insects.  I  am  iioi  aware  that  it  eats  shell  lish  at  any 
season  of  the  year.  The  young  grass  .-siioots  loiiiid  in  the  margins  of  the  ponds  form  its  principal 
food. 

It  breeds  in  greatest  numbers  on  the  Yukon  Delia.  The  young  are  attended  by  the  jtari'iits 
until  the  former  are  ible  to  fly  in  kite  Aiifjust. 

These  geese  rcnain  in  this  \i(inity  uiiii'  t'v  sharp  frosts  in  October  freeze  the  margins  of  the 
ponds. 

I  have  never  observed  liiis  (fjiecies  i  i'  goose  <m  the  Aleutian  Islands.  'l"he.\  probably  never 
visit  the  islands  lying  west  of  the  mainland,  as  that  region  -.iocs  not  conlaiii  their  jiaiticular  food 
in  si'ttii:ient  ipiantity  to  induce  ihcm  to  visit  it. 

The  flesh  of  this  goose  is  e.\c>  llent  for  the  talilc.  ai'd  tliey  be  •onw  very  fal  in  the  fall  of  the  year. 

At  k^al'it  Aliehael's  this  siieciea  of  goose  is  calleil  in  Russian  I't'in  <hi  nii  (loose,  or  Low  ground 
Gbuse. 

"-  iiis  species  does  not  winter  in  any  part  of  Alaska. 

ITL*.  BuANTA  rANADENSis  (Linii.).     Canada  (Sookv. 
The  Canada  doose  is  net  comiiKMi  (Ui  the  coast.     A  few  stragglers  are  .shot  during  the  spring 
migrations.     It  occurs  along  the  upper  Yukon  Hiver  regicn,  and  seems  to  )irelcr  the  inlcrioi  rather 
than  the  vitiinity  of  the  coast.     The  Canada  tJoose  is  not  knoun  to  oc'iir  on  any  of  the  Aleutian 
Islands. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TFIE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA, 


139 


17Li  .  HuAMA  (CANADENSIS  III  TciiiNSii  (S\v.  ami  Kicli.).     I{utchuis\s  Goose. 

Iliitcliiiis's  (i()08t>  is  one  of  tlic  most  i)l)uii(li)iit  of  tlio  rccsl'  tlial  occur  at  Saint .Micliaol's. 
Tlipy  arrive  in  cari.v  May  and  breoil  ail  along  tlie  coast  lowlands.  Tlic.v  arc  cNi)ccially  abniulaiit 
around  tlic  Vulvon  Delta  and  lowlands  hack  of  ('ape  Konianzof. 

Tlii'ir  nestin;;'  habits  aic  the  same  a.-,  iliat  oltlie  otiiei'  geese  of  tlie  genua 

Tlie  llcsli  of  this  species  is  ex(H'llcnt  fooil  in  the  fall  when  they  are  fat. 

On  the  Aleutian  Islands  thc\  are  esjiccially  abundant  to  the  westward  of  I'nalashka,  aii'. 
breed  by  scores  <mi  Aikha  and  in  thousands  or-  the  Nearer  Islands,  being  so  intimately  as.sociated 
with  /}.  caiKuhiisis  iiiinima  as  to  be  indistinguishable  in  their  habits. 

I72c.    HUANTA  CANADENSIS  MINIMA  HulgW.      Cdclding  GoOKC. 

The  White  cheeked  (ioose  is  the  llrst  one  of  its  kind  that  visits  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Micliael's, 
and  arrives  about  the  Isl  oi'  .May,  or  even  earlier.  It  is  tliecomnKUU'st  of  all  the  gee.se  that  abound 
there.  It  breeds  all  along  the  coast  of  the  Yukon  district,  but  is  rci)orted  to  be  rare  in  the  interior, 
its  place  there  being  taken  by  /.*.  (■(inatlcuKix  hutcliinsii  It  is  also  abundant  on  the  Aliaska  Peninsula 
(imrth  side),  Ibisttil  l!ay,and  the  lowlands  of  the  XuslM.:ik  River  district.  It  may  breed  at  Una- 
laslika  Island,  but  if  it  d<ics  it  is  not  to  my  knowlcdgi  Mler  repeated  iiujuiry  on  the  subject.  The 
vesternniosc  of  the  Aleutian  Islands  is  also  alav(uit«'  icsort  in  summer  for  it.  It  breeds  in  great- 
est abundance  on  the  Scmechi  Islands  Uiid  Agattu  Island  of  the  extreme  western  islands.  The 
Semechi  Islands  are  especially  adapted  as  breeding-grounds.  They  lie  in  174°  IC.  longitude,  and 
are  low  and  level,  (tovciccl  with  ma'^hes  and  lagoons  lank  in  aquatic  vegetation,  among  which  the 
geese  breed  in  thousands. 

Tlu'ui)per  Yukon  l)istiict,lhe  Yukon  Delta,  and  soulh  to  the  Bristol  l?ay  District  are  fairly  alive 
with  llieni  in  the  breeding  season.  Tlu'y  leinain  in  I  his  locality  until  about  the  1st  of  October, 
while  in  the  Aleutian  Islands  they  remain  until  the  middle  of  November.  This  bird  does  not  win- 
ter ill  any  part  of  Alaska.  The  (■liitcii  of  eggs  varies  from  .seven  to  thirteen,  and  arc  laid  in  a  care- 
lessly-arranged nest  ciunposedol'dead  grasses  and  lew  fcalhcrs.  The  young  remain  with  the])areiita 
until  the  latter  molt,  iiy  tlie-dth  of  Anj-ust,  by  which  time  the  ytuing  are  able  to  fly.  This  date 
witnesses  a  few  of  the  older  young  and  adult  males  I'oming  from  the  breeding-grounds  on  the 
Semechi  Islands  to  the  island  oi  Attn.  The  geese  have  exhausted,  by  that  time,  the  food  supply 
of  that  jilace,  and  repair  to  Attn  to  feast  on  the  berries  of  the  Vacciiieiim  that  are  rapidly  ripening. 
Attn  Island  has  a  great  many  lilne  I'"oxcm  (  F.  /i/i'/d/x/.v)  on  it;  hence  is  icsortid  to  only  by  adult 
bir('s.  The  birds  arrive  poor  and  lean,  but  by  the  lOtli  of  Sei)teniber  they  aboiiiiil  in  tliuusandN, 
and  are  very  fat  at  this  time,  'flie  birds  usually  alight  en  the  hillsides,  and  <piickl\  strip  the  lower 
aieasol  ilie  berries  that  have  ripened  earlier.  Toward  I  he  evening  the  geese  restut  lo  the  shallow 
pools  blestitulc  of  vegetation,  with  gravelly  bottoms)  (ui  the  sides  of  the  mountains. 

^vfter  a  ciilain  holida\  of  the  (lii'co  Illls^ian  (hurcli  in  Sijitembci',  the  natives  k'xiw  that  the 
geese  have  liecuiiic  fat.  and  e\(i.\  one  has  pie|)aied  himself  to  hiiiit  th.  m. 

Their  nils(  cllaneoiis  as.sortment  of  gun.-. — from  Ih.'  old  style  liussian  spill-out  si:otgun  to  the 
modern  thin  barreled  Ameiicanor  Itclgian  shotgun,  that  kicks  as  hard  behiiiil  as  it  shoot ''  ahead — is 
carefully  dissected.  A  new  till"'  perhaps  is  added,  but  of  uncertain  fixity  of  iiiirpesc,  as  it  ollen 
flies  out  at  limes  least  expected.  'I'iie  breech  (iln  is  taken  out  and  ••aieliilly  scoiiu'd  and  oiled,  in 
till'  absence  of  screws  a  lew  thongs  ol  sinew  will  secure  the  parts  .'.getlier,  and,  lightened  by  meaiiH 
of  small  wedges  of  wood,  gi\c  solidity.  It  is  a  ludicrous  sight  t.  see  an  Aleut  youth  handle  a 
gnu  of  this  description.  He  tries  to  hit  a  mark  with  a  large  number  of  shot  and  but  little  powder 
togi\e  them  tbrce.  lie  misses  the  mark,  but  c(Uisoles  liimself  that  tlit  gun  was  fixed  up  to  kill 
geese.  Ibit  the  younger  ones  of  the  youths  rarely  kill  a  goose,  as  they  li.ive  not  yet  acquired  the 
native  cunning  of  the  eldci  s  w  hicli  enables  them  to  secure  more  by  this  means  ilian  by  relying  on  the 
good  shooting  (pialitic/^  of  their  gun. 

The  adult  natives  take  to  theircanoes  and  go  some  distance  from  the  village  to  hunt  tor  several 
days  at  a  time.  They  sometimes  take  the  women  along  fngather  berries  and  roo;s  for  winter's  ikhc. 
The  men  take  a  small  supply  of  salt  to  preserve  the  gei-se  unlil  their  return.  When  a  sufllcient 
number  is  obtained  t  hey  take  I  hem  home  and  sail  I  hem  in  an  old  barrel.  Should  tliev  not  be  suecess- 
lul,  and  remain  o'lt  tor  a  long  time,  the  birds  become  very  rank  from  lack  of  sullicientsalt  to  preserve 


i 


!■>; 


140 


OONTRJBTTTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


them.  It  makes  but  little  dittereiice  to  tliem  if  the  goose  is  fresh  or  stale.  I  once  remarked  to  a 
native  that  he  was  saltiut;  };eese  tliat  were  far  advaueed.  He  rejtlied  that  thev  <lid  not  ask  in 
winter,  wiien  food  was  scarce,  whetlier  food  stinks  or  not. 

The  manner  of  shootiuy  jjeese  at  Attn  Island  is  diifereiil  f.oni  that  pursned  in  other  localities- 

In  the  evening  the  geese  repair  to  the  shallow  pools  to  preen  their  feathers  and  be  secure  from 
the  atta(!ks  of  foxes.  These  resorts  leave  niiniistakable  signs  of  the  i)re8ence  of  geese  of  preceding 
nights.     The  native  wanders  over  the  bills  until  he  finds  a  hike  where  "signs'"  are  abundant. 

Every  prei>aration  is  made  for  camping  out  a  night  or  two.  A  jialr  of  long  boots,  made  of 
sealskin  and  watertiglit,  are  taken.  A  long  sort  of  shirt  (called  a  kamltii/ka),  made  of  the  intes- 
tines of  the  sealion,  is  u.sed  as  a  water  proof  against  rain  and  the  wet  of  the  rank  vegetation  of 
the  low  grounds. 

A  hut  is  generally  to  be  found  near  th»'  favorite  night  haunts  of  tiie  geese.  To  this  one  jour- 
nies  in  a  canoe;  and,  on  arriving  the  chiinik  (teakettle)  is  hung  on  the  soon-kindled  fire  to  boil,  as 
the  chypect  (tea-drinking)  is  a  certain  concomitant  of  all  Alnskan  Jaunts,  eitirer  of  plea.sure  or  of 
protit.  The  chyi)eet  over,  the  api)roach  of  dusk  is  awaited.  The  hunters  then  seek  the  chosen 
ponds  and  secrete  themselves  in  a  gully,  or  on  the  hillside  near  the  place  .selected  to  watch  the 
geese  as  they  come  in  for  the  evening ;  for  during  the  day  the  geese  have  been  (ceding  on  the 
smooth,  sloping  Inllsldes. 

The  hunter  is  carefid  to  api)roa(!li  these  lakes,  lest  he  leave  a  foot-i)rint  or  other  sign  of  his 
presence,  as  the  goose  is  ever  on  the  alert  for  such  traces  and  forsakes  any  lake  that  is  sus])eeted. 
They  will  in  such  eases  hover  round  and  round,  endeavoring  to  discover  danger,  and  when  satis- 
tied  that  the  lake  has  been  visited  by  man,  or  that  lie  is  present,  their  loud  cries  give  warning  to 
all  the  geese  within  hearing,  as  they  quickly  stream  olf  and  away  to  the  head  of  tlie  ravine  from 
which  they  came.  After  such  an  occurrence  the  hunter  would  just  as  well  go  houie,  <u*  seek  some 
other  locality,  for  no  more  geese  will  visit  that  lake  until  the  next  night. 

A  night  on  which  the  sky  is  partly  clouded  and  a  light  wind  is  blowing  is  the  best.  If  the  air 
is  calm,  and  the  night  bright,  the  still  water  reflects  too  strongly  the  outlines  of  the  surrounding 
hills,  making  the  water  inky  black  and  renders  it  im]iossibIe  to  distinguish  a  goose  sitting  on  the 
water. 

At  the  time  the  geese  are  expected,  each  person  has  selected  his  jilace  and  remains  quiet.  On 
the  api)roach  of  the  first  flock  for  the  night  a  low  whistle  from  the  hunter  to  his  companion  gives 
signal.  A  low  hiuil;  hiiiik  of  the  geese  iind  a  swirl  of  wings  announce  their  ajiproach.  A  straight 
dash,  or  a.  few  circles  round  the  pond,  and  they  settle.  Shoot  just  iis  tiny  alight  aiul  iigain  as  they 
rise.  Sometimes  they  become  so  confused  as  to  enable  the  holder  of  a  breech  loader  to  get  four  shots 
at  a  single  flock.  The  dead  geese  serve  as  decoys,  and  soon  many  are  added  to  those  already  killed. 
The  gentle  wind  slowly  blows  them  ashore,  while  you  are  waiting  lor  others.  In  a  short  time  a 
sutii-ient  inimber  is  obtained.  At  an  aj)pointed  time  another  native  comes  from  the  hut  to  heli> 
bear  home  the  geese. 

Another  method  is  still  ])ursued  at  this  ])liice,  but  as  it  is  being  su])erse<led  by  the  use  of  the 
gun  it  will  not  b''  out  of  ijlsice  to  record  it,  as  it  is  now  adopted  by  the  older  men  .done. 

A  net  is  jtrepared  in  the  following  manner:  Stiij»s  of  whalebone  about  threefeet  in  length  are  tied 
by  cords  at  intervalsof  two  inches  a  i)iirt,  so  that  the  hMiglh  of  the  net  may  be  thirty  feel  and  threefeet 
high.  Tiie  net  is  |)liiced  edgewise  (Ui  the  margin  of  a  iion<l  fiequinteil  b_\  geese  in  October,  A  stout 
cord  is  secured  to  the  end  of  the  net,  and  lirndy  fastened  to  a  peg  in  the  ground.  The  other  end  is 
secured  in  like  manner.  A  long  cord  reaches  from  the  middle  and  to]) of  the  net  to  the  owner  who 
sits  a  convenient  distance  oil' to  be  out  of  sight  by  the  geese.  On  the  approach  of  a  flock  of  geese 
to  the  pond  they  are  not  alarmed  at  the  net,  as  the  strips  of  whalebone  stand  on  end  and  resendde 
grass  stalks.  They  swim  near  the  net;  and,  when  suflieiently  near,  the  cord  held  by  the  man  is 
jerked  by  him  and  causes  the  net  to  be  thrown  on  the  geese.  The  inteistices  of  the  net  entanglea 
their  heads,  necks,  and  wings  so  they  cannot  fly.  The  hunter  runs  out  to  twist  their  necks  and 
again  sets  his  net  lor  another  flock.  This  method  was  emjiloyed  almost  entirely  before  (he  use  of 
(^uns  became  general. 

In  the  earliest  times,  and  before  the  advent  of  the  Russians,  they  used  another  means  to  pro- 
cure birds  of  all  kinds,  but  especially  geese  and  ditcks. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


141 


The  bpiich  wns  soiiiclied  Cor  tliioc  rouiulod  stones  of  iie:ir  eqiinl  weifjlit  aiul  size,  generally 
about  one  and  one  lialf  indies  in  diameter,  tlidii^ili  tins  diiTeicd  w'tli  eaeli  individual's  strengtli, 
women  the  also  tisinj;-  lighter  stones  than  those  used  liv  tlii'  men. 

After  the  stones  had  been  selec-ted  a  {jroove  was  cut  loiind  the  stone  and  dee|ien<'d  sullieiently 
to  hold  a  stionji  tlioiif;  olsealsiiu  about  twelve  inches  lonn.  I'laeh  stone  was  tiius  jiicpared  with 
the  thong  securely  tied  to  it.  The  three  loose  ends  of  the  strinjis  \>ere  then  tied  ;ogether,  so  that 
the  distduee  between  two  outstretched  stones  was  about  twenty  inches.  The  strinj^s  wei'e  then  taken 
by  the  knotted  ends  anil  laid  earelully  in  the  ]ialm  of  the  hand.  The  stones  tiial  are  attached  to  the 
other  eiul8  of  the  strings  were  carefully  disjiosed  oil  the  eoile<l  tliongs  in  the  hand.  A  flock  of 
gee^e  that  (!ame  witiiin  distance  would  have  this  biilas  thrown  at  them,  and  was  certain  to  become 
entangled  on  the  neck  or  wings  of  some  goose,  which  fell  to  the  earth  and  was  immediately 
secured.  The  women  weie  adejits  at  throwing  these  stones.  An  old  woman  told  me  that  she  had 
often  secured  two  and  occasionally  three  geese  at  a  single  tliiow. 

About  the  1st  of  t)ctober  the  geese  aie  so  fat  that  they  freciiiently  burst  the  skin  on  their 
breast  when  shot  and  fall  to  the  groiiiul.  During  the  simimer  tlie  geese  are  not  molested.  The 
uativeK  take  many  of  the  young  and  domesticate  them.  1  ha\ c  seen  as  many  as  fifty  young  ones 
at  a  time  at  Attn  Island,  owned  by  the  natives,  to  whom  the  goslings  bei-ome  much  attached, 
esi)e<'ially  those  who  attend  them.  The  goslings  remain  at  large  dining  IIh  winter,  but  have  t(> 
be  fed  during  seveie  spells  of  weather.  The  honsc-tois  being  coxci-ed  with  sdd,  the  excessive  heat 
within  causes  the  grr.ssroots  to  continually  send  out  new  blades  ol  grass.  The  geese  are  con- 
stantly searching  evciy  house  to])  to  lind  the  tender  bliides.  One  mini  had  a  paii  of  adult  geese 
which  he  assured  me  had  been  reared  from  gosliiif^s,  and  that  they  were  then  entering  the  sixth 
year  of  tlieii  captivity.  Tiuse  two  gi'cse  did  not  bret'd  tht  second  year  of  their  life,  but  that  every 
year  tlieieafter  they  had  reared  a  brood  of  \oiing,  and  brought  them  home  as  soon  as  hatched 
The  wings  and  half  of  the  tail  feathers  had  to  be  cHjiixmI  every  mmsoii  to  iirevent  tlu'iii  migrating 
jii  *.!e  fall  ot  l.S.SO  this  ]iair  of  geese  w<ut  away  and  «ere  gone  so  long  that  the  man  supposed  they 
V,  .id  not  return.  After  .some  time  tliey  returned,  and  on  calcliiiig  them,  to  .clip  them,  it  was  found 
that  the  male  had  a  shot  hob'  hrough  the  web  of  tuie  toot  and  a  second  hole  in  the  .tl  her  leg.  This, 
doubtless,  made  the  geese  think  "there  is  no  place  like  home."  This  jtair  was  killed  later  in  the 
season. 

As  an  illustration  of  the  parental  solicitude  exliibited  by  tiiese  birds,  I  will  relate  that  several 
years  ago  a  heavy  fall  of  snow  occiirrccl  in  the  latter  jiart  of  .Iiine  at  the  islands  of  Agatfn  and 
Semichi,  and  covered  the  ground  with  more  than  three  led  :ni.'\v.  At  that  date  the  geese 
were  incubating.  The  jieese  did  not  (juit  their  nests,  and  were  suffocated.  The  natives  found 
scores  ol  the  birds  sitting  dead  cm  their  nests  alter  the  snow  had  nielteil 

Alter  the  loth  of  November  these  geese  leave  the  islands  and  are  not  to  be  seen  until  the 
following  April.  At  Aikha  the  peoi)le  rear  a  number  of  tlie  goslings  of  this  sj)i cies.  The  young 
are  obtained  from  the  islets  lying  contiguous  to  the  larger  islands  in  tliat  vicinity,  h'roin  the 
best  information  1  could  obtain  this  an<l  Hntchins'  (ioose  ...e  the  only  species  wiiich  Itrecd  on  the 
Aleutian  chain  ;  ami,  none  of  them  lirecdiug  east  <»f  I'uashka  Island.  On  rnasliUa,  Amiia,  Atklia, 
Athakli,  Kanaga,  Tanaga.  ivisku,  Boiildyr,  .Semichi,  and  Ag;;.tu  are  the  greatest  breeding  grounds 
of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  On  some  of  these  islands  foxes  of  various  kinds  are  niiinerous,  liem-e, 
while  they  arc  excellent  feeding  giounds  tor  the  gee.se  in  Ihe  fall,  the  geese  are  comi)elled  to  rear 
their  young  on  the  nearer  islets,  where  the  foxes  cannot  molest  the  young  goslings,  unless  there 
happen  to  be  lakes  contaiuiug  small  Lslauds  in  them.  There  the  getsc  are  seiuire  from  foxes  and 
other  animals. 


174.   HranT/V  nigricans  (Lawr.).     lilack  Brant. 

The  Ulack  Brant  arrives  at  Saint  .Michael's  from  the  5th  to  the  loth  of  .May;  and,  is  usually 
about  a  week  to  teu  days  later  than  the  other  geese. 

Along  the  eastern  end  of  the  caiuil,  which  separates  Saint  .Micliael's  Island  from  the  mainland, 
this  Brant  is  seldom  seen  ;  and  then  either  siiigl.\ ,  or  in  small  flocks  of  less  than  a  dozen  individuals ; 
and  these  are  apparently  stragglers  from  the  great  stream  that  jtonrs  northwaid  between  Saint 
MicLael's  Island  and  Stewart's  Island.     Three  or  four  days  aftei'  ( he  appearance  of  the  first  arrivals, 


142 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


the  low  grounds,  honUMiiif^  tlie  strait  between  tliese  two  islands,  were  in  former  years,  a  favorite 
place  for  sliooiing  tiiese  l)inls;  lor  here  tliey  tlew  but  few  yards  above  the  ground.  As  many  asa 
hundred  and  titty  were  obtained  in  a  single  morning's  sljooting.  In  later  years  they  have  become 
much  less  numerous  in  this  i)arti(;nlar  locality.  Their  tlight  was  directed  to  the  Kavyayak  Penin- 
sula, north  of  Xorlon  Sound.  The\  do  in)t  letnain  on  tlight  more  than  a  week  or  ten  days,  in  their 
migration,  in  si)ring.  The  natives  living  on  the  south  side  of  that  i)eninsida  assert  that  this  bird 
does  not  breed  there,  but  continues  its  tlight  to  the  Arctic  regions.  They  do  not  breed  in  the  Yukon 
district,  but  return  in  the  fall  by  the  way  of  the  interior,  for  but  few  are  then  seen. 

This  species  does  not  occur  on  the  Aleutian  Islainls  to  my  knowledge. 

The  tiesh  is  not  good,  as  the  birds  are  so  lean  in  the  spring  that  they  are  strongly  tlavoped. 
They  are  eaten  by  the  Kussians  and  natives. 

The  Hussian  nanu'  of  this  s|iecie8  is  Nimki';  when  used  in  the  plural  number. 

176.  I'liiLACTK  CANAGir/V  (Sevast.).    Emperor  Goohc. 

This  beautiful  goose  is  found  in  all  parts  of  Alaska  within  tlu'  following  boundaries: 

Cook's  Inlet  for  the  eastern,  the  iieninsula  of  Aliaska  and  islands  to  the  south  of  it  for  the 
southern  boundary,  and  extending  to  Attn  Island,  \vlii<  h  tonus  the  western  limit.  The  northern 
boundarx  includes  the  Aleutian  Islands,  l'rib>  lof  (Jrouii,  and  Saint  Lawrence  Island,  then  across 
eastward  to  Saint  Michael's,  on  the  mainland. 

The  habitat  of  this  goose  is  strictly  littoralinaritinu',  frt'(|Mentmg  oid,\  the  reefs,  locks,  and 
shoals  of  the  salt  water  an<l  the  brackish  lagoons  of  the  mainland  coast.  It  is  never  found  in  fresh- 
water localities,  e.\ce|)ting  those  coutignous  to  the  sea,  such  as  the  lower  Yukon  Delta,  mouth  of 
the  Kuskokxiin  Hiver,  and  the  bars  lying  off  the  in  "ith  of  the  Nnshagak  Hi\cr.  It  is  most  abun- 
dant in  the  vicinity  of  Kotlilik,  on  the  noitliern  edgi  of  the  Yukon  Delta;  the  tide  lagoons  near 
Cape  Romanzof  and  those  at  the  mouth  of  the  Tgasik  River  on  the  nort'i  and  east  end  of  the  penin- 
sula of  Aliaska,  on  Saiinakh  Island,  and  some  of  the  Aleutian  Islainls. 

The  moil'  northern  localities  nieniioncd  Ibiin  the  summer  habitat  and  breeding  grojuids,  while 
the  entire  south  side  of  the  Aliaskan  I'eninsuhi  and  tht^  Aleutian  Islands  torm  the  winter  resort- 

The  migration  to  the  iivirthward  begins  in  Apiil,  alter  (he  middle  of  the  monlli.  A  constant 
stream  of  these  geese  ])our  into  the  lagoons,  on  the  north  .side  of  the  ])eninsula,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Ugasik.  They  remain  there  until  the  snow  and  ice  begin  to  clear  from  their  breeding  grounds, 
on  which  they  arrixc  by  the  middle  of  May  or  early  part  of  June.  i!y  the  middle  of  .June  incu- 
bation has  begun.  A  slight  dejiressjon  in  the  ground,  lined  with  few  stalks  of  grass  antl  few  feath- 
ers from  the  parent  liiid,  forms  a  lu'st  in  which  are  dejiosited  se\  en  to  elex en  4'ggs  ol  a  soiled  white, 
or  sometimes  witii  dots  of  pale  olive.  The  i)resence  of  the  dottings  on  the  shell  is  extremely  vari- 
able, as  even  eggs  in  the  same  nest  w  ill  lie  witlnnit  them,  or  sometimes  only  one  |)art  of  the  egg  will 
be  so  marked.  The  period  of  incubation  was  not  determiiu'd.  Thevoung  leave  the  nest  as  .soon 
as  hatched  ami  remain  with  the  |iarent  birds.  The  former  ari'  able  to  lly  by  the  lirsi  vvcik  in  Sep- 
tember, as  ayoiing  bird  was  killed  by  me  at  Saint  Miihael's  on  the  Hth  ot  Sei»tenil)er,  1874.  It  was 
the  only  one  of  its  kind  ever  obtained  in  that,  immediate  locality.  A  few  miles  to  the  south  of. 
that  place  the  bird  beconu-s  numerous. 

In  the  nuuitli  of  October,  usually  from  the  7th  to  the  201  li  of  I  lie  niontli.a  strong  niu  lli-noi  llit'ast 
wind  blows,  attaining  at  times  a  sironj;  galeri.'te.  '1  his  conslant  wind  has  the  elVect  of  lowering  the 
waters  of  Norton  Sound  to  a  remarkable  degree,  sometimes  as  much  as  eight  feet  below  the  lewest 
water  of  otiiei  seasons. 

At  this  period  the  I'Imperor  Goose  visits  the  vicinity  of  Stewait's  ami  Saint  .Michael's  Islan<l8 
in  great  numbers  to  feed  on  the  shellfish  exposeil  by  the  low  water.  Hy  the  15tli  of  November 
the  rocks  are  coveied  with  frozen  slush.  The  geese  then  depait  for  tiie  south  .>-iil('  of  the  )ieninsula 
and  the  Aleutian  Islands.  They  ariive  at  I'milashka  by  the  Ist  of  December,  ami  renniin  until 
the  next  April. 

In  Captain's  Harbor  {Uinilashka  Islan>l)  several  reefs  are  freiiueiiled  by  them  during  the  night 
and  early  morn. 

On  Athakh,  Kanaga,  Tainiga,  Amchitka,  and  Kiska  Is',iiMis  the.v  are  plentiful  in  Jiinuary, 
February,  ami  March.    At  Attu  these  geese  arrive  in  the  la(  ter  part  ot  December  and  remain  uutii 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATDKAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


143 


the  latter  part  of  March.  They  are,  however,  not  so  ab'iiuhint  on  the  extreme  westward  ishuulH 
of  the  chain. 

They  do  not  breed  on  any  of  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

The  flesh  of  this  s()ose  is  coarse,  besides  having  a  very  disaffreeablc  odor  and  fishy  taste.  The 
latter  can,  in  a  decree,  l)e  removed  by  stri[)i»in}{  ort'  tiie  si<in  and  lettinji  tiie  body  of  tlic  bird  freeze 
over  nif^ht.  Wiien  well  roasted  it  is  tolerable  food.  Several  ])]M<ked  birds  were  brontjlit  to  me 
froir;  the  Seaiitdii  Islands  by  natives,  who  had  repaired  thither  to  hunt  sea-otters;  and  in  (lie  absence 
Oi  olher  fresh  food  tlie  tlesii  of  the  limperor  (.loose  foniied  an  acceptable  clianjje. 

The  bird  is  very  shy  ;  and,  as  it  frecpients  only  the  most  exposed  rocks,  isdiflicult  toajiproach 
openly.     They  are  ofteuer  obtained  as  they  fly  unwittinjfly  over  a  concealed  hunter. 

It  may  be  well  in  this  connection  to  add  tiiat  the  Ifussian  name  of  this  particular  t;oose  is 
Sa  stir  ka,  Many  persons,  having;  but  a  limited  knowledge  of  the  Russian  liMij;ua^e,  and  more  ijjno- 
rant  of  the  rules  for  ])ronuncialioii  and  the  rounds  of  the  consonants,  have  i>re.sumed  tiiat  the  word 
Sa  adr  ka  is  referable  to  the  word  Tsar,  ineaninf;  Km|)eror,  or  to  the  word  tsdrskic  (an  adjective 
derived  from  Tgar),  signif'yiuf;  pertainintr  to  a  Tstir. 

The  word  ^'(^  .sar  ka  is  nothinj,'  more  than  the  Kussiiui  word  for  (iuinea  lU'U,  Niimidea  meleayrin. 
A  certain  resemblance  of  the  two  birds  in  coloration  is  obvious,  hence  !lie  ai)plication  of  the  nani« 
in  question. 

Another  remark  may  not  be  out  of  place.  Along  the  Aleutian  Isliint's  the  name  of  this  bird 
in  HusHian  is  '^Ltdenmt  (joouc"'  (Beach  (ioose),  while  at  Saint  .Micliad's  the  ^'Lldtnna  G'ocAr"  is  the 
White  cheeked  Vim.si',  li.  caiuidcnsis  /(((/(//i/i.s//,  and  this  binl  among  the  Aleutians  is  called  the 
^^  Tiindfiua  Goose;"  jiud  again  at  Saint  Michael's  the  "r»«(/r/)i((  (loose"  \st\\v  A.alliifxnis (inmhetii, 
or  American  White- fronted  (ioose,  a  bird  tiiat  does  not,  to  my  knowledge,  occur  on  the  Aleutian 
Islands.  The  specific  name  cf  this  bird  was  a  curiosity  to  me,  and  after  much  trouble  I  succeeded 
iu  finding  the  following  article  hi  the  Nova  Acta  Academia-  Scientiarum  Imjierialis  l'etro|iolitanie, 
tomus  XIII,  1802,  j).  liHi:  "Description  d'une  nouvelle  cspece  de  Ciinaid  et  (rune  varit^te  de 
I'liuitrier,  (jui  se  trouvent  dans  le  cabinet  d'hisioirc  naturelle  de  rAcadc'inie  ImiH-rialc  des  Sciences, 
par  1' Adjoint  Sewastianott'.     Presente  et  lu  le  8  octobre  ISdO." 

After  giving  a  description  and  measurements  of  this  species  the  article,  on  |uige  349,  gives  the 
probable  origin  of  the  specilic  name: 

I'c  caiiiU'd,  (111  lis  Ir  C','itill(>j;iii'  (IfHOisciiiix  aplxilK^s  pal  Mi".  liilliiif;.'*,  iidiIc  Ii'  luiiii  s.\  -iriiiiil  iiiiic  iVAimx  taiKtijita,  II 
I'st  ti^s  prolialilt  cnv  irtlc  iiDiivcllr  t'Hpi'ci'  a  ('•ti'-  tlf^coiivrrti'  jiar  Mr.  le  C'apitaiin'  HiPiiiys  ,siii  I'ilc  Canada,  mi  Kvlitak, 
uiie  (li'H  iU'H  Aldmiti's  la  phi.s  proi-lir  (It's  cl'itc.-i  de  l'Aiii('i'ii|ii<'  wplrntrioiialt'  el  silni't- ilcrii'Tr  li- cap  Aliazliii,  et  i|ii«' 
le  111)111  (le  IV.Hpi'co,  i-'v.st  I'l  din'  ('(imiyica,  a  t'lr  hiipusi^  a  cct  (li.scau  dii  iioiii  de  la  piciiiii-re  He,  (Ui  di^  i-cliii  (k'»  piiiici- 
paiix  llallltull^<  d(^  I'llu  KyklaU  apiiclt'c  t'niiitujueii  oil  Vaniujiiex,  i|iii,  pciil-('lr('  avaiit  appiivoi.si^i^  cct  oiNcaii,  I'ipiil  iiiidii 
(luiiie»tl<iii(>, 

Ct'N  mm\  IcN  sanvajji's  tii'M  licllliiiienx  et  ([iio  les  Kiisses,  daiiH  iiii  .vccdiid  V(iyaj;(^  i'iitieiiris]iar  bcliclicliolt,  avoiciit 
bpaueoiip  dc  jxliu^  ii  sc  Ndiiiiioitrc. 

Near  longitude  177'  west  of  Gieenwicli  lies  the  huge  Aleutian  ishind  railed  Kauaga.  This 
island  could  ha\e  been  relerred  to  in  the  above  description,  but  as  it  snys  that  the  island  is  situ- 
ated behind,  "  situe  dirrihe  le  tap  Aliazka,''^  the  ]ieninsnla  of  Aliiiska,  the  island  now  called  Ivadiak 
is  doubtless  referieil  to.  The  original  liiiiiiit  name  of  Kadiak  w:is  Koniutj  or  Koiniijuk.  The  name 
Kyktak,  as  used  above,  is  simply  one  of  the  many  forms  of  spelling  ol  the  Inniiit  word  Kikhtak, 
meaning  island. 

The  geese  form  an  important  arlicdeof  food  in  the  Yukon  Disirict,  alike  to  the  white  and  native 
population.     Tliey  are  mostly  obtained  by  means  of  the  gun. 

The  best  localities  near  Saint  .Michael's  are  towiird  tlie  western  end  of  the  canal,  along  the 
edge  of  the  low  g'onnd..  bordering  the  hills  of  the  inainhind,  and  near  the  village  of  Stepliiinsky 
(Athwik,  nativi  name),  on  the  westein  side  of  Siiint  Michael's  Islniid.  This  area  is  low,  inter- 
sected witli  innnmerable  swamiis  and  connecting  streams,  Ibrining  a  tine  feeding-ground  foi-  all 
kinds  of  waterfowl. 

A  regular  camping  outfit  is  taken  by  sledge  and  dogs  to  a  <  lioscn  locality.  In  the  early  morn- 
ing a  site  is  selected  where  the  geese  i\\  n  uiid  .some  ending  of  a  hill  lange,  for  they  tiy  low  and 
prefer  to  sweep  round  the  hills  rather  than  mount  over  them.    They  arefreijueutly  so  low  in  tlieir 


'  I 


144 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


ttiffht  tliat  the  huiitiT  lias  to  wait  until  tlio,  jicf^o.  arc  well  past  hct'oro  he  can  shoot  them  to  an 
advintage.  A  iieaily  eonstmit  stream  of  ^eese  tly  ronnd  a  certain  |)oint,  jnst  to  tiie  left  of  the 
Crooked  Canal,  on  a  sli<j;iit  eminence,  formed  from  the  deposit  of  soil  torn  np  h.v  some  immense 
ice  cake,  which  the  liifjli  tides  of  some  December  in  years  Ions  ^(""^  I'.v,  had  left  as  the  water 
receded  and  the  warm  weather  of  si)rin};  liad  melted;  now  overfjrown  with  patches  of  rank 
vegetation. 

At  a  convenient  distance  a  niitive  i)repiires  a  fniffrant  pot  of  tea,  with  slices  of  hiUMiii  and 
some  hard  bread,  to  be  eaten  when  a  surfeit  of  sport  caused  one  to  think  of  else  than  the  slanghter 
of  fjeese  and  dncks. 

By  ten  o'clock  the  f?eesc  were  (lone  llyin};  for  that  morniiif;.  The  low  clmracter  ot  the  {^ronnd 
did  not  favor  approach  to  the  jieese  feeding  at  the  pon<ls.  Dnrinj;'  the  middle  of  the  diiy  a  (piiet 
sleej)  invif^orated  the  lumter  foi'  the  late  evening  shootiii},'.  The  latter  j;enerally  iitlordinji'  a  l(!ss 
nnmber  of  j;eese  than  the  nioiriinn's  shootin;;. 

By  the  next  morninji  '  snilieient  iMiml)er  of  ^eese  were  obtiiined  to  lieaxily  load  a  sledge ; 
drawn  by  six,  Insty  lOskimo  do};s,  assisted  by  two  stnrdy  natives.  This  sjtort  generally  liists  from 
the  arrival  of  the  jjeese  nntil  the  (irst  week  of  >lune.  At  this  time  they  repnir  to  the  breeding- 
grounds.  During  the  summer  the  geese  are  not  liuuted.  The  eggs  are  eagerly  sought  by  the  na- 
tives ami  whites  and  take  the  place  of  meat  of  the  l)irils.  In  the  latter  part  of  .\ugust  or  the  early 
part  of  September  the  fall  shooting  begins,  as  the  geese  have  moulted,  the  young  are  able  to  Hy,  and 
they  are  fattening  on  the  ripening  berries.  The  geese  are  now  obtained  by  watching  tln'  jionds,  or 
as  they  lly  over  in  small  tloeks  or  s.ngly.  Should  a  tlo(!k  not  Hy  sntli(!iently  near,  a  favorite  method 
to  attra(;t  their  attention  is  for  the  hunter  to  lie  on  his  back,  swing  his  arms  and  hat,  kick  np  his 
legs,  and  imitate  the  call  of  the  geese.  It  rarely  fails  to  bring  them  within  distance,  and  may,  if 
several  be  just  slu>t  from  their  ranks,  be  repeated,  and  even  a  third  tinu'.  F/ater  in  the  season,  when 
cool  and  frosty  nights  are  regular,  great  numbers  of  the  geese  are  killetl  ami  disemboweled  for 
freezing  to  keep  tlirongliout  the  winter.  The  feathers  are  left  on  the  birds,  tor  the  llesh  is  said  to 
keep  in  l)eiter  condition.  The  body  is  washed  out  and  the  bird  hung  up  by  the  neck  in  tiu)  ice. 
house  to  keep,  even  until  the  geese  have  arrived  the  next  spring,  'flie  tiesh,  when  thawed  out 
slowly,  has  lost  all   the  rank  taste,  and,  in  my  opinion,  is  much  improved   by  the  freezing  |)rocess. 

1  haveeaten  the  llesh  of  all  the  various  kinds  of  geese,  fre(|uentiug  those  northern  regions, aihl 
place  them  in  value  of  tlesii  as  follows  :  Wliilefrouted  (loose,  ,1.  <ill>i/niiis  tjambelli ;  White  cheeked 
Goose,  a,  canadcntiis  ';(;•'■''/;/,>//  and  B.  auiitdctisin  minima;  Canada  (ioose,  II.  ((tniKlen.^is;  Black 
Brant /i.  «iV/''i'or(«,v,  an  ^  i.ri  always  tough  and  lean,  tit  food  oidy  for  a  Ktu'.^ian;  8now  (loose,  CVicu 
hyptrlioreitx,  is  sci.rcely  lit  for  food,  cxcejit  in  cases  of  necessity.  Its  llesh  is  coarse,  rank,  and  has 
a  decidedly  unpleisaiit  o  lor  ;  the  l'imj)er(n'  (loose,  P.  cniuijiifa,  is  siiaicely  to  be  thouglit  of  as  food. 
There  is  a  disgusting  odor  about  tliis  bird  that  can  oidy  be  removed  in  a  degree,  and  then  only 
by  taking  otf  the  skin  and  freezing  the  body  lor  a  time.  Even  this  does  not  rid  the  llesh  entirely 
of  its  strong  taste. 


180.  Ol.oK  COLIMHIAMS  (Ord).     M'tiixtliiifi  Siraii. 

The  Whistling  Swan  is  a  common  bird  in  tiie  Yukon  district.  It  ariives  about  the  1st  of  May, 
or  in  open  years  two  weeks  earlier.  The  Swan  and  the  Creat  (!nli,  L.  Iiarniriiiniis.  are  r  early  con- 
ten)fi)raneous  in  arrival.  They  do  nut  airixc  in  large  Ihtcks,  l>ut  rather  in  a  straggling  manner  of 
one,  two,  or  three  at  a  time,  and  rarely  are  seen  in  greatei'  nnmb?rs  than  half  a  ilozen  at  a  time. 

It  breeds  abundantly  along  the  lowlands  of  the  coast.  The  eggs  are  one  to  thiec  in  nund)er, 
placed  in  a  tussock  of  giass  thai  grows  in  a  pond  :•  way  from  the  margin  of  it.  The  eggs  are  soiled 
while  to  sli-ititly  fidvous  in  eohu'.  The  young  are  able  to  leave  the  nest  by  the  lii'st  week  in  -Inly, 
and  Hy  by  the  mitldle  of  Septembir.  They  migrate  about  the  middle  of  October,  and  at  this  time 
the  ndgration  is  invariably  to  the  northward  from  Saint  Michael's,  and  <lire(^ted  toward  the  head  of 
Norton  Soiiml.  As  many  as  live  hundred  may  loiin  a  -Ingle  line,  tlyiiig  silently  Just  over  the  shore 
line  at  a  height  of  less  than  <»(»»  feel.  I  alwa,>H  oiispeelcrl  that  these  birds  Hew  to  the  northward  as 
fur  as  the  Uli'ikuk  Portage,  in  alioiit  ()')°  IW  tHHiU  hitJIiide,  so  as  to  get  to  the  Yukon  River  at 
Nuliito,  about  I'JO  miles  in  tlie  interi(n'  of  liie  Territory,  and  continue  tlu'ir  Hight  up  the  Yukon 
River,  which  w<»nld  in  its  course  let  these  birds  more  easily  cross  the  Rocky  Mountain  ridge  with 


h 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


145 


least  efl'ort.  This  is  supported  by  the  fiiot  tliat  I  never  saw  Swans,  at  any  season  of  tlio  year, 
migrating  to  the  southward. 

The  Swan  is  f'onnd  on  the  extreme  western  islands  of  tiie  Ah'utian  ("hain  in  winter,  and  occa- 
sionally it  is  reported  as  having  been  .seen  in  winter  on  Sannakh  Island.  At  Attu  Island  a  large 
flock  was  seen  in  a  lake,  just  back  of  Mas.sacre  Bay,  on  the  south  side  of  the  island,  in  April,  1881. 
They  were  very  wild  and  remained  for  oidy  a  week. 

In  former  years  (luite  a  nutnbtjr  of  swan  skins  were  annually  exported  from  Saint  Miciiael's. 
The  tiesli  of  this  bird  is  not  palatable.  A  young  bird  is  only  tolerable.  The  eggs  are  coarse,  oily, 
and  raidf.    The  feet,  bill,  and  iris  are  black.    The  bill  has  a  yellow  .s])ot  on  it. 

Ii().j.  Gnus  CANADENSIS  (Linn,).    Little  liroini  Crane. 

The  Little  Brown  Crane  is  one  of  the  earliest  arii vals  at  Saint  Michael's,  it  being  in  advance  of 
theGee.se  and  nearly  (contemporary  with  the  Swan.  The  earliest  date  of  its  arrival  was  May  2, 
1875.  .\  few  birds  usually  come  in  advance  of  the  main  l)ody ;  where,  if  they  rea<di  the  grounds  too 
early,  they  pass  most  of  the  time  on  the  wing.  By  the  middle  of  May  hundreds  of  them  may  be 
seen  on  the  low  grounds. 

During  the  mating  season  they  exeeu'e  the  most  surprising  antics.  They  assendde  on  some 
level  place;  and,  amid  their  deafening  croaks,  there  i)erform  a  series  of  motions  very  similar  to  a 
quadrille  as  danced  in  the  rural  districts. 

Tlu'  nest  is  )>laceil  on  a  lussock  of  gra.ss,  which  nniy  grow  on  an  islet  of  some  j>ond.  The  num- 
ber of  eggs  is  one  or  two.  The  young  are  hat<rhe(l  by  the  10th  of  July.  Tiie  young  remain  in  the 
downy  stage  until  the  autumnal  moult.  They  remain  in  this  locality  until  the  latter  ])art  of  Sep- 
tend)er.     Their  Hesh  is  consiilered  tolerable^  eating,  lhouj;li  it  is  strong  uidess  the  bird  is  young. 

I  have  been  informed  on  good  authority  that  the.se,  birds  pass  over  the  entrance  of  Cook's 
Inlet  in  thousands,  in  April,  on  their  way  to  the  northward. 

I  have  never  seen  nor  heard  these  birds  on  any  of  the  Aleutian  Lslanils.  The  natives  of  Attu 
assert  that  .several  years  ago  one  was  killed  in  October  on  tl;Tt  island.  It  was  doubtless  a  storn)- 
driven  straggler. 

1222.  Crvmoi'iiilus  fui^icakhis  (Linn.).    AV  '  /,■,'"-'-(" 

The  Red  I'halarope  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  abort  i  ,  •>.  ,;une.    They  are  not  abundant 

at  any  time,  e.scept  during  the  early  part  of  June.  Tiiey  ,:re.  im  t  'nqnently  seen  on  the  mainland, 
oi)posite  the  Redoubt,  than  on  the  island  of  Saint  Michael's.  They  depart  from  this  locality  by 
tlit^  end  of  August.  They  breed  lu-ar  liere,  but  eggs  and  nest  were  not  found.  In  the  neighbor- 
liood  of  the  Yukon  Delta  they  are  abundant  throughout  the  sununcr.  Their  habits,  on  the  land 
and  lakes,  are  identical  witli  that  of/',  lobatus.  In  the  early  part  of  June,  1878,  I  was  on  a  vessel 
going  to  the  Kuskokvim,  Bristol  liay,  and  other  plain's  in  tliat  vicinity.  I  freciuently  saw  large 
flocks  of  these  birds  alight  in  th(>  sea  to  pick  up  such  food  as  minute  mollusks,  or  following  the 
wakes  of  sea-lion  troops,  or  that  of  a  whale.  At  times  they  were  so  (close  to  the  vessel  that  they 
could  have  been  caught  with  a  diii-net.  When  seeking  a  locality  abounding  in  food  the  flocks  of 
these  birds  are  constantly  wheeling  spirally  upward  and  outward  for  two  or  three  hundred  yards, 
and  again  dart  to  the  water  or  again  start  upward  in  the  same  manner. 

They  utter  all  the  while  a  sharp  liccct,  and  wiien  sitting  on  the  waterare  exceedingly  graceful; 
their  bodies  so  buoyant  as  seeminglv  not  to  touch  the  water.  They  rarely  progress  on  the  water 
in  a  straight  line,  a  few  inches  forward  and  a  turn  to  right  or  left,  and  again  to  right  or  left. 

I  saw  but  few  of  these  birds  at  Nushagak.  At  the  mouth  of  tln^  Ugasik  River,  and  the 
low  grouinls  surrouiuliiig  it,  I  saw  hundreds  of  these  birds. 

I  luive  no  record  of  their  occurrence  on  the  Aleutian  Islands.  They  may  oc(!asionally  occur 
there  with  the  other  sj)ecies. 

A  belated  imlividiud  of  this  sjiecies  was  killed  October  14,  187f5, .  "^  Saint  Michael's.  A  fierce 
enow-storm  was  raging  at  the  time.  The  specimen  was  in  the  winter  plumage,  and  as  it  flew  by 
me  its  bewildered  a(!tions  reminded  me  of  a  bat. 

The  iris  is  reddish  brown,  tarsi,  toes,  and  lobes  of  web  flesh  colored,  joints  bluish.     Bill  yel- 
lowish, tipped  with  black. 
S.  Mis,  155 19 


146 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  [FISTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


h 


223.  I'HAi.AiKti'iiH  LOiiATUH  (Liiiii.).     Northern  Phalurope. 

Tlie  N<n'tir«'rii  I'lialiirope  occurs  nhiindaiitl.v  at  Haint  Midiad's.  It  arrives  by  the  25th  of  May, 
thouffh  tl.c  i'arlicst  record  of  this  species  was  May  l.'Uh,  Tliis  s]>ecies  fre(|iUintH  the  sliallow  pools 
and  iiiar^iiiN  of  the  hikcK,  scciiiii};  its  t'lMxl  among  the  sedKes  and  other  acpiatic  plants.  It  swims 
anion};  them,  or  c^reeps  over  the  little  knots  of  prass.  Their  food  consists  entirely  of  aquati<!  worms, 
sings,  larva',  and  tlies. 

They  hreed  in  .Inne.  TIk^  nest  is  jilaced  anuMig  the  grasses  and  consists  of  a  lot  of  grass  blades 
arranged  with  little  care.  Four  of  five  eggs  of  greenish  gronnd,  thickly  blotched  with  dark  are  laid. 
The  young  are  able  to  tly  l>y  tlie  lirst  of  August.  The  female  of  this  species  is  noted  for  having  iv 
brighter  pattern  of  coloration  than  the  male,  and  is  somewhat  larger  in  size.  This  species  is  widely 
dispersed,  and  ajiijarently  abniulant  throughout  the  Yukon  district.  It  occurs  far  np  the  Yukon 
River.  On  the  coast  it  abounds  in  the  lower  portions.  Hundieds  :)f  them  were  seen  on  the  low 
grounds  on  the  northern  side  of  Ahaska.  On  the  Aleutian  Islands  this  si)ecies  was  not  observed 
at  Unalashka.  On  the  western  islands  of  the  Aleutian  Chain  it  is  abundant.  Many  breed  on 
Atkha,  Anu;liitka,  Hemi(!hi,and  Agattu.  At  Anmhitka  they  were  very  numerous  among  the  little 
streams  which  form  llie  outlet  of  the  inland  lakes.  They  remain  until  ()(^tober  on  these  islands 
and  return  in  the  latter  part  of  April.  The  iri8ofthiss])ecies  is  variable,  a  recblish  brown  to  nearly 
black,  the  bill  is  l)lack  with  lighter  base,  tarsi  and  toes  bluish  with  dark  joints. 

The  Attn  i)eople  call  this  bird  Chi'f  hliiikh  and  is  derived  from  the  note. 

230.  Gallinaoo  DBLiCATA  (Ord).     Wilsoti'H  Snipe. 

Wilson's  Snipe  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  early  in  June,  or  even  in  the  latter  part  of  May,  if 
the  season  is  sufiiciently  open.  It  is  comn)on  enough,  though  more  often  heard  than  seen.  They 
frequent  the  more  broken  higher  parts  of  the  lowlands,  and  always  in  the  vicinity  of  the  larger 
ponds  of  fresh  water,  where  they  seek  their  food  among  the  sedges  an<l  other  a<|uatic  grasses. 
This  Snipe  is  not  shy,  and  relies  more  on  hiding  in  th(^  gra.sses  than  taking  to  flight.  Early  in  the 
morning  or  late  in  the  night  (during  the  long  twilight  which  prevails  from  the  middle  of  May  to 
the  middle  of  July  in  this  latitude)  is  the  best  time  to  tiiul  these  birds  on  the  ground.  During 
these  hours  they  will  s(  aicely  tly,  unless  suddenly  startled,  but  will  I'un  along  over  the  crouiul, 
an<l  may  be  driven  for  r^uite  a  distance,  especially  in  tli(>  breeding  season,  before  they  Hy. 

During  the  day  these  l)irds  aie  mostly  on  tiieving.  In  the  breetling  season  the  males  Hy 
high  (at  times  undiscoverable)  in  the  air  over  the  location  of  the  nest.  Their  wings  make  a  i)ecu- 
liar  noise — hnttle,  huttlv — continued  for  half  a  minute  at  a  time  ami  repeated  at  short  intervals. 
This  sound  is  very  deceptive,  and  long  search  often  fails  to  discover  the  bird. 

This  Sniiie  remains  until  the  middle  of  September,  and  becjonu^s  very  fat  at  that  season. 

I  have  seen  this  l)ii(l  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kuskokvini  River  in  .lune,  1878,  and  at  Nushagak, 
on  Bristol  Bay,  in  the  same  month.     It  was  not  observed  on  any  of  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

2;52.  MACKOKitAMi'HVS  scoij ii'ACEUS  (Say ).     Lonf)  billed  Doiritclnr. 

This  Snii)e  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  after  the  nn'ddle  of  Ma.  .  usually  about  the  L'Otl;  of  the 
month.  It  is  common  in  certain  localities  on  the  i.sland  of  Saint  Michael's,  and  more  jvlvntifid  along 
the  lower  end  of  the  •' Oauiil"  and  neighborhood  of  the  Yukon  Delta.  It  prefers  tlw  muddy  i)lace8 
and  slimy  edges  of  the  smaller  pools.  It  is  rarely  found  among  the  sedges  aod  other  grasses, 
resorting  to  these  places  only  in  the  breeding  season.  It  is  rare  that  more  tlv*ii  one  individual  is 
seen  at  a  time.  The  nest  and  eggs  were  not  discovered,  though  the  bird  bre^xls  in  this  vicinity,  as 
it  was  observed  tliroughoiit  the  season  until  August. 

I  ob.served  this  Siiipe  near  ilie  Kuskokvini  River  in  June,  1878.  1  have  never  seen  it  on  the 
Aleutian  Islands;  and,  from  the  j)hysical  charaeter  of  those  islaiuls,  doubt  that  it  oceans  there. 

2.'}t.  Tlu^'(}A  CANiTi's  Linn      Knot. 

The  Knot  airives  at  Saint  Michael's  by  the  25th  of  May.  It  breeds  along  the  lioast  in  this 
vicinity  among  the  grassy  swamps. 

I  did  not  see  the  eggs  or  nesi.  It  is  (juite  conunon  early  in  June,  but  retires  to  the  more 
secluded  places  by  the  miildle  of  the  mouth.    The  specimens  obtained  by  me  diil  not  vary  from  the 


CONTItlBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  niSTOUY  OF  ALASKA. 


147 


following::  Length,  l<>.,"(;  Rxpaiisi',  20.5 ;  wiiifi,  6.75;  tail,  2.75.  Iris,  bill,  ami  i'ot^t  Ijlack.  I  liiivo 
not  obHerved  this  bird  west  of  U^iisik,  ou  the  eastern  end  of  Aliaska,  wlu/e  it  was  qnite  plentiful 
in  the  latter  part  of  Jnne,  1878. 

236.  TuiNOA  coUESi  (Uidgw.).  Aleutian  Sandpiper. 
The  Aleutian  Han(lpii)er  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  early  in  JMiiy  of  each  year,  and  in  consid- 
erable numbers,  beirifj  ^jenerally,  on  tiieir  arrival,  in  the  dark  pliiniaj;e,  which  is  chaiifxed  for  the 
summer  liy  the  tirst  of  June  in  this  locality.  On  their  api)earatu',e  tliey  are  strictly  littoral-mari- 
time,  resorlinfi  to  the  lart^cr  bowlders  and  rocky  shelves  (covered  with  seaweed,  amoiijx  wliicli 
these  binls  industriously  scarcii  for  slugs  and  other  marine  worms.  U  ually  several  birds  are  to- 
Kether,  rarely  sinfjiy,  and  seldom  over  eight  or  ten  in  a  Hock.  It  is  not  at  all  shy,  depending 
more  on  its  color  to  hide  by  s(|uattitig  among  the  crevices  of  the  dark  la\a  rocks  and  thus  be  un- 
observed. When  cautiously  ai)i)roached  these  birds  generally  run  to  the  highest  part  of  the  rock 
or  bowlder  which  they  are  on  then  huddle  together  before  taking  llight  the  moment  after.  This 
habit  allows  them  to  be  nearly  all  killed  at  a  single  disidiarge  t)f  the  gun.  The  native  boys,  having 
oi)servcd  this  habit  of  these  birds,  jtrocure  a  club  al)out  two  fei't  long,  and  when  the  birds  huddle 
together,  before  taking  llight,  the  club  is  hurled  in  such  maniu'r  as  to  sweep  all  the  birds  otf  the 
rock.  This  manner  of  procuring  these  birds  is  practiced  by  the  western  Aleut  boys  to  a  great  de- 
gree. Hy  the  middle,  of  .lune  it  is  rare  to  see  one  of  these  birds  in  the  winter  pluma^.e.  On  as- 
suming the  summer  plumage  the  hal)its  of  the  birds  are  entirely  changed.  They  build  their  nests 
;  lie  dryer  jilaces  of  the  nuirshy  ground  and  are  usually  seen  either  singly  or  in  i>airs.  'i'he  nest 
'.i  toiiifortably  made  of  dry  grasses  and  a  few  feathers  phu^ed  on  a  small  dry  tuft  of  grass  growing, 
]>erhai)s,  surrounded  by  water.  The  young  are  able  to  leave  the  nest  by  the  UMli  of  .July.  The 
nundter  reared  in  a  nest  is  four  or  live.  They  follow  their  jiareiits  until  they  a.ssume  the  winter 
plumage  in  the  latter  part  ol  August  or  September,  or  even  later.  The  males  are  much  devoted  to 
their  mates  while  iiuaibating,  and  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  male  does  the  greater 
l)art  of  the  labor  of  incul)ating,  as  they  were  the  ones  generally  fouml  either  on  or  near  the  nests. 
When  alighting  near  the  nest  either  sex  has  the  habit  of  raising  its  wings  perpendicularly  ami 
slowly  folding  them,  all  the  while  uttering  a  trilling  i)eep  continued  for  several  seconds. 

This  species  seems  to  bo  most  abundant  among  the  Aleutian  Islands  in  the  winter  season, 
although  1  obtained  seven  specimens  in  the  breeding  plumage  at  Atkha  in  .June  and  .July,  1879, 
and  observed  a  few  at  Attn  in  the  summer  of  1880,  and  several  pairs  at  Anuihitka  in  .June,  1881. 
At  Unalashka  they  are  quite  numerous  in  Captain's  Uarbor.  In  the  month  of  November  these 
I  irds  becom(>  very  fat,  aiul  possess  a  delicate  liavor  when  broiled. 

2;5!».  TRiNctA  MAOULATA  V'ieill.  Pectoral  Sandpiper. 
A  single  specimen  of  this  Saiulpiper  was  obtained  at  Saint  .Mi(!hael's.  It  is  (piite  rare,  accord- 
ing to  my  ex[)erience.  .Vt  Attn  Island,  on  the  22d  of  September,  1880,  I  started  up  a  s()ecies  of 
Snipe  which  I  had  not  seen  before  or  since  in  the  Aleutian  Islands.  It  was  in  a  small,  but  treach- 
erous, swamp  to  which  I  could  only  ai)proa(!li  the  edge.  The  bird  started  u|>  with  a  sharp  tircet, 
and  was  away  before  I  could  fidly  ideitify  it.  I  always  suspected  it  to  \m'  of  this  sjiecies.  I  con- 
sidered it  to  be  a  straggler,  as  I  visited  the  same  locality  for  others  but  failed  to  see  more  of  them 
until  the  2!)th  of  the  month,  when  1  scc'ured  three  specimens  in  the  same  swampy  tract  ami  fully 
identified  them. 

243a.  Tringa  aijmna  i'Acifica  (Coues).     Red-backed  Sandpiper. 

The  Red-backed  Sandpiper  is  one  of  tiie  latest  arrivals  of  the  scolapacine  birds.  It  rarely 
couu's  before  the  5th  of  .Iuiu\  It  is  comnu)n;  inhabits  the  lowest  nuirshy  tracts  of  the  (!(Uintry. 
tt  does  m)t  wander  iiittt  the  interior,  that  I  coid<l  <liscf.ver.  It  goes  u[)  the  Yukon  Delia  (juite  a 
distance,  but  prefers  the  neighborhood  of  the  sea.  I  did  not  discover  the  nest  or  eggs,  but  it 
doubtless  breeds  abundantly,  as  it  remains  in  this  locality  until  the  first  week  of  October. 

It  was  not  observed  on  the  Aleutian  Jslaniis,  though  it  may  occur  on  the  eastern  islands  of 
the  chain. 


148 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  IIISTUKY  OF  ALASKA. 


ii 


m 


247.  KuBKUNKTES  oooiDRNTAMS.  (Liiwr.).      WeHtirn  Sandpiper, 

The  Weshirii  SiiiidpipL'r  iinives  iit  Saint  Mi(!lmnl'H  by  tlie  luiddlo  of  May.  My  earliest  record 
was  tlio  I4tli  of  May,  1875.  Liifn  many_t>tli»^r  of  llie  litiiicoiiiie  birds  its  inovcinciits  depend  much 
on  the  openinj;  of  the  slimy  jiools  whiidi  it  freciiients.     It  i.s  otten  us.H(n'iated  witli  /'.  lohiitus. 

About  tiie  tirst  of  .Fune  it  bej^ins  to  build  its  nest  anions;  the  dry  niosaes  found  on  the  low 
grounds;  a  slijjht  depression  in  the  moss,  (rontainin;;  a  few  fi-athers.  Four  or  live  ej,'jrs  are  laid. 
The  male  assists  in  in(!ubatini;,  as  tll(^  tirst  specimen  i  olttained  was  a  male,  whi(^h  lluttered  from  the 
nest  as  thon<;h  he  was  wounded,  llis  tintterinii;  winj^s,  low  pee]iin{:r  note,  and  limping;;  gait  caused 
me  to  detect  the  nest  almost  between  my  I'eet. 

While  the  female  sits  on  tlie  nest  the  male  is  constantly  hoverin}>-  over  her,  fluttering  his 
wings  with  rapid  strokes  ami  uttering  a  peeping  trill  the  entire  while. 

The  young  are  hatched  by  the  tirst  of  .Inly  and  are  able  to  tly  in  three  weeks.  1  am  not  aware 
that  more  than  one  brood  is  hatched  in  a  season. 

By  the  tirst  week  in  August  these  birds  resort  to  the  tide-swamps  and  muddy  jdaces  along 
the  beach. 

They  depart  to  the  southward  by  the  middle  of  September.  There  is  great  diversity  in  the 
length  of  the  bill  of  this  species.  The  bill  is  dark  with  lighter  base.  The  iris  black  ;  tarsi  dark. 
The  males  average  smaller  ineasurenKMit  than  the  females. 

This  Sandpiper  is  abundant  in  all  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

At  Atkha  and  Amchitka  it  is  extremely  abundant. 

At  Saint  Michael's  it  probably  oulnund)ers  any  other  wader  individually. 

250.  LiMOSA  LAPi'ONiCA  BAUEKi  (Nauin.).     Pavijir  Goihcit. 

The  Pacitlc  Godwit  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  about  the  tirst  week  in  .Mine.  In  this  locality  it 
tirequents  the  banks  of  the  numerous  intersecting  streams  of  tlie  lowlamls,  and  is  08i)ecially  abun- 
dant along  the  "canal." 

This  species  probably  breeds  here,  as  it  was  observed  duriirg  that  season,  although  1  did  not 
obtain  the  eggs  of  this  bird. 

This  (Jodwit  is  fouiul  on  the  Aleutian  Islands  in  the  latter  part  of  .May  as  it  is  on  its  way  to 
the  northward.  On  Atkha  Island  1  obtained  three  s[)ecimen8.  They  were  on  the  sandy  beach  of 
the  west  side  of  Nazan  Bay.  They  remain  but  a  few  days,  and  are  probably  stragglers  from  the 
luain  body  of  their  kind. 

At  Amchitka  I  saw  four  of  this  species  on  May  24,  1881.  They  were  in  Constantine  Uarbor  of 
this  island. 

I  do  not  think  they  breed  on  any  of  the  Aleutian  Islaiuls. 

The  flesh  of  this  bird  is  excellent,  being  quite  as  large  in  body  as  the  Green  winged  Teal. 

253.  ToTANUS  FLAViPKS  (Gmel.).     Yellow-legs. 

The  Yellow-legs  is  only  a  straggler  at  Saint  Michael's,  and  was  seen  only  on  two  occasions  on 
the  beach  in  the  early  i)art  of  .Tune. 

1  obtained  a  specimen  at  Fort  Yukon,  where  it  is  not  common.  On  some  parts  of  tlie  Yukon 
lliver  it  is  said  to  be  common,  but  not  so  according  to  my  own  observation. 

I  saw  a  specimen  of  this  Snipe  at  Is'nshagak,  on  Bristol  Hay,  in  the  month  of  June,  1878.  It 
was  running  along  the  muddy  edge  of  the  river.  1  had  only  time  to  identify  it  as  it  tlew,  and  that 
before  I  got  within  distance  to  shoot  it. 

It  does  not  occur  on  the  Aleutian  Islands  that  I  am  aware  of. 

259.  Hetebactitis  incanus  (Gmel.).     Wandering  Tattler. 

According  to  my  own  experience  I  found  the  Wandering  Tattler  to  be  a  rare  bird  in  all  parts 
of  the  Territory  visited  by  me. 

At  Saint  Michael's  the  bird  arrives  by  the  first  of  June  and  remains  until  the  earlier  frosts  of  the 
middle  of  September.  It  appealed  to  prefer  the  less  freciuented  portions  of  the  rocky  shores  where 
the  crevices  and  rifts  abound  in  the  shelving  rocks  jutting  from  the  edges  of  the  islands  and  points. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


149 


RiinO.v  dill  I  IIihI  two  or  three  of  tlicHf  ItinlN  (n cii  iii'iir  pacli  rttlun-,  tlieir  ImbitH  r»Mi(lcriiij{  tlicin 
pccnliiirly  Molitary.  VVliih'  not  sliy,  Jt'l  tlic.v  nn*  not  i'iimIIv  apiiroiu'licd,  for  iih  hooii  iih  they  detect 
daiiK*'!'  tlx'.v  are  apt  to  skulk,  and  rely  upon  their  (Mtloialion  of  plnnni^ct  to  enable  tlieni  to  escapu 
detection.  I  w  is  infortned  l>y  ('redihle  unlives  that  lliis  spei'ies  has  been  known  to  breed  on  the 
Hnndl  island  (Whale  InIuimI)  near  Haint  iMiehaer.s.  I'lidcr  the  varionw  rireunislaiices  which  I  ob. 
served  this  Tattler  1  conjd  not  doubt  thai  il  breeds  in  thai  vicinity.  The  I'nalit  lerai  this  bird  Tii 
va  td  ti'ik.  Anionn  the  Aleutian  Islanils  it  was  observed  once  on  Unalashka,  several  on  Atkliiv, 
an<l  twice  on  Attn. 

-'01.  Nkmknu'M  LoNOittosTUis  (VVils,).  Loiuihilkil  Curlew. 
A  single  iiidi\  idnal  of  this  s]>(M'ics  was  seen  in  the  marshes,  west  of  Saint  Michael's,  Ktward  the 
middle  of  the  nit;ht  of  .lime  111,  IS74.  The  bird  was  veiy  shy.  1  suciieeded  in  wounding,'  it  in  tlio 
tip  of  the  will};  and  came  near  securing;  il.  il  look  lii^'hl  and  Hew  just  b(\vond  \i\\\\  nin^e  each 
time  1  approached  it.  It  tinally  tlew  beyond  a  hill,  where  1  (;<Mdd  not  succeed  in  lindiii;;  il.  This 
Ih  the  only  instauce  of  ito  occurrence  in  that  vicinity,  and  is  remarkable  that  it  should  be  found  in 
that  locality,  for  it  was  far  north  of  its  usual  haunts.  Th(<  t;reat  si/e  of  the  bird,  Ihe  extreim^ 
length  of  the  bill  and  pattern  of  coloration  tMiiiid  not  cause  me  to  mistake  it  for  liiid.iunivuii,  which 
is  not  rare  in  that  locality. 

2(i'>.  NiiMKNius  iiUDHOMrrs  (Lath.).    llHihnnian  Vui'lew. 

The  Hudsonian  Curlew  is  not  a  common  biid  in  the  vicinity  of  .Saint  Miclnh  I's.  On  the  Yukon 
Delta  it  is  said  to  be  <piite  (Mtmmon.  I  am  not  aware  Ihat  it  breeds  in  the  nei},'hborhoo(l  of  Saint 
Michael's. 

It  dueti  uot  ucuiir  on  any  of  Ihe  Aleutian  Islands  to  my  kiiowlcd(;u. 

20(5.  NUMENlua  BOIJKALIS  (For.st.).     Esldmu  Curlvir. 
A  single  si)ecimeii  of  this  Curlew  was  obtaimnl  May  2-,  1874,  on  shipboard  about  .sixty  miles 
west  of  Nunivak  Island,  lierinj;  Sea. 

The  bird  was  much  fatigued  and  made  no  attempt  to  lly  when  taken  by  the  hand. 

270.  CiiABAiMJTl's  syuATAROLA  (Liiiii.).     liUivl,  bellied  Plover. 

This  large  Plover  is  not  rare  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  .Michael's.  It  prefers  the  drier  uplands, 
where  it  procures  its  food  of  insects  and  berries.  They  are  .seldom  .seen  in  flocks  of  more  than 
a  dozen;  half  that  number  being  the  more  common,  and  pairs  or  couples  (juite  as  often.  I  found 
them  always  on  the  alert,  and  not  easy  to  approach. 

They  occasionally  o(!cur  in  the  spring  migrations  on  the  Aleutian  Lslands,  the  more  abun- 
dantly on  the  western  islands  than  those  in  the  vicinity  of  Unalashka.  I  saw  several  on  Saii- 
nakh  Island  in  the  sjuing  of  1S78,  and  also  in  late  August  of  187!t. 

The  nests  and  eggs  were  not  (»btained.  In  general  habits  they  are  similar  to  the  Golden 
Plover.     They  arrive  at  Saint  Michael's  by  .Iiiue    1st  and  leave  by  September  25th. 

272«.  CuAKAUKius  DOMiNicus  FULVi^s  {(imel.).     Pacific  Golden  Plover. 

The  Pacific  (ioldeii  Plover  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  by  the  Lst  of  June  or  jierhaps  a  few 
days  earlier.  It  freipients  the  sides  of  the  low  hills  as  .soon  as  the  snow  is  melted.  They  are 
rarely  seen  in  docks,  though  several  may  be  seen  at  a  time  scattered  over  the  higher  parts  of  the 
low  grounds. 

They  feed  principally  on  berries  of  the  Vaccineum  and  Empetrum  on  their  first  arrival,  as 
many  of  these  berries  do  not  dislodge  until  succeeding  growths  push  them  off. 

A  few  of  these  '''•  i.  breed  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's,  but  eggs  were  not  obtained 
by  rae. 

In  the  fall  the  o  birth  become  very  fat,  and  are  line  eating. 

I  observed  one  .  f  tin-  species  on  Sannakh  Island  in  July,  1878,  and  one  was  brought  to 
me  in  plucked  coiidii.i>i)  (f  body,  but  wing,  head,  and  neck  feathers  remained  on  it;  hence 
sufficient  to  identify  it  on  the  17th  of  May,  1879,  at  Atkha  Island.     1  also  saw  tWi)  of  them  on 


o.^X^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1^ 


m 


6" 


22 
2.0 


U    III  1.6 


V] 


<^ 


/^ 


^^ 


4 


<^:] 


y 


/A 


,ia. 


Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  J.Y.  14580 

:  7t6)  672-4503 


^ 


i/.A 


^ 


150 


OONTEIBCTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


the  beach  at  Massacre  Bay,  ou  the  south  side  of  Attti  Island,  in  the  early  part  of  October,  1880. 
I  had  no  guu  with  me,  so  could  not  procure  them.  They  were  then  (October  3)  in  their  winter 
plumage. 

274.  ..^aiALlTiB  SBMtPALMATA  Bonap.    Semipalmated  Plover. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  bird  was  obtained  at  Stiiut  Michael's  in  the  yard.  It  wa>^  shot  Octo- 
ber 1st,  during  a  freezing  rain.    It  was  the  fattest  bird  that  ever  came  under  my  notice. 

This  bird  does  not  appear  lo  be  numerous  in  this  vicinity,  although  in  the  interior  along  the 
Yukon  River  it  is  plentiful  and  abundant  at  Fort  Yukon,  wheucc  I  obtained  most  of  my  specimens. 

This  species  was  not  observed  on  any  of  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

282.  Aphbiza  viRGATA  (Gmel.).     Surf  Bird.  :    ;  ..   . 
The  Surf  Bird  was  not  observed  at  Saint  Michael's,  though  it  doubtless  occurs  there  during  the 

summer.  At  Sannakh  Island  in  1878,  and  at  Kadiak  in  1881,  I  saw  several  individuals  of  this 
species,  but  under  circumHtances  which  rendered  it  an  impossibility  to  collect  them.  It  has  much 
the  same  habits  as  A.  »ietonocepAa{a.    .  :■-,... 

283.  AiiENABlA  iNiKBPBE8(Linn.).     Turnstone. 

The  Turnstone  is  of  more  frequent  ocurrence  on  the  region  about  the  shores  of  Bristol  Bay, 
the  Aliaska  Peninsula,  and  the  Aleutian  Islands;  perhaps  more  common  on  the  western  iislandsof 
that  chain  than  to  the  eastward.  I  saw  individuals  at  Attn,  Amchitka,  Atkha,  and  u\  the  vicinity 
of  Belkovsky  village.  What  appeared  strange  to  ine  was  the  fact  that  but  one  could  be  found  at 
a  time,  and  then  most  unexpectedly  as  it  flushed  from  thecrevicesof  the  rough  edged  shore;  occa- 
sionally venturing  along  the  sandy  beach  where  the  long  waves  roll  slowly  up  and  down  the  strand 
washing,  here  and  there,  a  raollusk  or  crustacean  from  under  the  flat,  thin  stones,  and  eagerly 
seized  by  the  birds  ever  on  the  alert  for  a  morsel  of  fooit.  In  tliese  situations  the  manner  of  the 
bird  caused  it  to  appear  out  of  its  usual  haunts,  hence  timid  and  shy,  taking  flight  long  before  one 
is  within  gun  range;  yet  among  the  crevices  of  the  rocks  it  often  relies  upon  its  coloration  to  con. 
ceal  it  from  view.  Its  noise  is  not  at  all  charming  enough  to  be  called  pleasant;  a  rattling,  discord- 
ant, harsh  note,  apt  to  startle  on  ,  if  the  bird  flushes  directly  from  your  feet. 

I  observed  the  bird  at  times  and  under  such  conditions  that  I  could  not  doubt  the  proximity 
of  a  nest. 

They  do  not  arrive  ou  the  Aleutian  Islands  until  the  middle  of  May,  and  none  were  observed 
anywhere  after  the  1st  oi  October. 

284.  Abenabia  hblanooephala  (Vig.).    Black  Turnstone. 

The  Black  Turnstone  is  one  of  the  earliest  arrivals  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.  The 
13th  of  May  was  the  earliest  date  recorded.  It  arrives  with  the  earlier  geese,  and  for  the  first  few 
weeks  frequents  the  edges  of  the  low  ]ionds,  which  are  the  first  to  be  freed  from  ice  in  spring.' 
After  the  sea  ice  has  left  the  shores  it  repairs  to  the  rocky  beach  and  seeks  its  foo<l  among  the 
stones  and  seaweeds.  It  is  ever  on  the  alert  for  a  venturesome  slug,  which  may  be  exposed  as  the 
waves  roll  the  stones  back  and  forth  on  the  beach.  This  bird  then  follows  the  wave  until  another 
causes  it  to  retreat.  They  are  often  netted  in  these  instances.  They  usually  squat  on  the  place 
where  they  may  be  when  alarmed,  but  on  taking  flight  they  utter  a  rattling  scream  that  is  quite 
enervating  when  they  are  suddenly  come  upon.  They  are  mostly  solitary  in  their  habits,  rarely 
more  than  one  is  seen  at  a  time. 

I  did  not  discover  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird,  but  it  breeds  along  the  entire  coast  of  the 
mainland.  I  saw  two  of  these  birds  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kuskokvim  River  in  June,  1878.  They 
occur  on  the  south  side  of  the  peninsula  of  Aliaska,  as  I  saw  one  at  Belkovsky  in  the  early  part 
of  August,  1881. 

They  are  reported  to  be  plentiful  on  Unga  Island  and  Sannakh  Island.  The  sea-otter  hunte*^ 
both  native  and  white,  detest  this  bird  as  it  frequents  the  places  moat  resorted  *o  by  marine  mam- 
mals and  is  certain  to  give  alarm  to  the  otter  or  sealt  which  be  hunter  is  endeavoring  to  approach. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THB  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


151 


I  did  not  observe  this  bird  west  of  Belkovsky  and  believe  that  the  island  of  Sannakh  is  its 
most  weHtera  limit  of  range. 

The  natives  of  Unalashka,  who  go  to  Sunnakh  Island  every  year  to  hunt  sea-otters,  say  that  it 
does  not  oconr  at  Unalashka  and  other  islands  west  of  the  mainland. 

287.  H^MATOPUS  BAOHMANi  Aud.    Black  Oynter -catcher. 

The  Black  Oyster-catoher  is  founu  on  the  islands  of  Alaska  that  lie  south  of  the  iieninsnia  of 
Aliaska,  as  far  east  as  the  Shumagin  Group,  and  to  the  westward  as  far  as  Kiska  Island  of  the  Aleu- 
tian Chain,  and  is  a  constant  resident  of  this  area.  I  observed  this  bird  on  the  jteninsula,  but  only 
on  the  south  side  of  it.  The  low,  marshy  character  of  the  northern  side  of  Aliaska  precludes  the  pos- 
sibility of  its  ocuurrouce  there,  as  it  invariably  frequents  the  rocky  reefs  and  water-washed  rocks 
that  lie  ont  fVom  the  main  body  of  the  island  or  shore;  and,  is  strictly  littoral,  never  on  any  occasion 
going  inland ;  and  in  it^  flight  invariably  flying  over  water. 

The  flight  consists  of  a  few  rapid  strokes  of  the  wing,  followed  by  a  sail  for  a  few  yards.  It  is 
sluggish  when  on  the  wing,  aud  flies  with  difticulty,  and  rarely  long  continued.  When  alarmed  it 
flies  over  the  water  within  few  yards  of  the  shore,  and  in  going  from  one  point  of  rocks  to  another  it 
either  makes  the  trip  in  easy  stages  from  one  large  rock  to  another,  or  else  follows  the  indentations  of 
the  shore  line.  The  bird  is  always  on  the  alert,  and  not  at  all  shy.  It  generally  sees  the  hunter  long 
before  he  suspects  the  presence  of  the  bird.  The  bird  cither  squats  in  a  depression  of  the  rocks,  or 
stealthily  creeps  U>  the  topof  some  huge  bowlder,  where  it  utters  a  piercing,  whistling  chatter  like  that 
of  a  policeman's  rattle.  It  causes  tlie  intruder  long  search  to  discover  the  presence  of  the  bird,  for  its 
color  is  sonear  thntofthe  rocks  itfrequents  that  it  is  not  easily  detected.  The  note  is  then  answered 
by  another  bird,  so  that  in  a  few  minutes  a  dozen  may  be  chattering  hideously,  making  the  hunter 
wonder  where  all  the  birds  came  from  so  suddenly,  as  all  the  birds  within  hearing  assemble  on  the 
first  note  of  alarm. 

The  Black  Oyster-catcher  is  universally  detested  by  both  white  and  native  hunters,  as  it  fre- 
quents just  those  plaees  most  resorted  to  by  seals  and  sea-otters,  so  that  on  the  approach  of  a  hunter 
to  obtain  those  animals  the  bird  is  certain  to  give  the  alarm  and  cause  the  animal  to  disappear 
into  the  water. 

I  once  procured  a  less  than  half-grown  bird  of  this  species,  and  if  any  one  would  like  to  have 
one  it  can  be  gotten  up  in  the  following  manner :  Take  the  hinder  half  of  a  black  kitten,  dip  about 
four  inches  of  its  tail  in  red  paint,  then  fasten  to  the  legs  a  piece  of  tallow  candle  about  four  inches 
long,  jab  the  wick  end  of  the  candle  down  hard  on  the  floor  to  spread  it  out  for  feet.  Stand  it  up 
and  heave  a  boot-Jack  at  it  to  give  the  desired  animation,  and  a  good  representation  of  a  young 
Black  Oyster-catcher  will  be  produced,  for  a  more  comical  object  than  a  toddling  Oyster-catcher  is 
difBcult  to  conceive. 

The  one  I  had  was  put  in  the  house  until  an  opportunity  ofltered  to  preserve  its  skin.  It  always 
greeted  the  opening  or  shutting  of  the  door  with  its  deafening  noise.  At  night  it  became  lonely 
bud  attempted  to  sing  a  song.  1  got  n|>  from  bed  to  quiet  it,  and  succeeded  only  as  long  as  I  re- 
mained out  of  bed.  Neither  the  bird  nor  I  slept  that  night.  By  early  dawn  it  migrated  to  another 
building  from  which  it  esca|)ed  when  I  unguardedly  left  the  door  open. 

The  food  of  the  Black  Oyster-catcher  consists  entirely  of  whelks,  limpets,  and  other  similarly 
shaped  shell-flsh  that  adhere  to  the  rocks.  The  crops  of  many  of  these  birds  were  opened,  and  in 
only  one  instance  did  I  And  anything  of  a  vegetable  nature,  and  that  was  supposed  to  be  pieces  of 
sea- weed. 

The  feet  are  well  adapted  to  a  secure  footing  on  the  O.imy  rocks.  The  horny  pectinations  on 
the  toes  give  additional  security.  It  backs  up  a  slippery,  incline'!  rock  when  it  wishes  to  change 
position  ;  hence  the  necessity  of  only  three  toe?. 

This  bird  breeds  on  all  the  area  mentioned.  The  eggs  are  Iai«l  on  the  bare  rock,  just  above 
high-water  wash.  The  number  of  eggs  varies  from  one  to  three,  usually  two,  and  are  laid  about 
the  10th  of  June.  The  exact  time  of  incubation  is  not  known  to  me,  but  the  young  are  able  to 
walk  about  soon  atler  hatching,  and  fly  about  the  middle  of  Augnsu.  The  coloration  of  the  young 
bird  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  adult,  with  the  exception  of  the  bill,  which  is  lighter  colored  at  the 

-  -  --»'■-■'.-  .    - 


152 


OONTRIBOTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HL8T0BY  OP  ALASKA. 


anterior  half  aud  the  basal  half  much  lighter,  even  having  a  decided  shade  of  yellow.  The  month 
is  yellow.    The  flesh  of  this  species  is  very  .lice  when  thn  skin  has  been  removed. 

The  Russian  name  of  the  bird  is  Morskoi  Pt(Mkh,or  Sea  Co<!k.  The  Aleutian  name  is  Hekh  at 
Unalashka  and  HegU  at  Atka.  At  Attu  the  bird  is  only  known  by  reputation,  and  is  there  called 
Hekh,  from  its  note. 

It  has  never  been  ob8<>rved  outside  of  the  limits  defined  above.  Mr.  H.  W.  Elliot  does  not 
place  it  in  his  list  of  birds  fVom  the  Pribylof  Group.  I  did  not  observe  this  bird  at  Kadiak  Island, 
though  Messrs.  Dall  and  Bannister,  in  tliu  List  of  the  Birds  of  Alaska,  with  biographical  notes, 
Transactions  OL  icago  Academy  of  Sciences,  1860,  rccoid  that  it  was  obtained  abundantly  at  Kadiak 
and  Sitka. 

The  great  distance  betwe<«n  Kiska  aud  Bouldyr  Islands,  together  with  inability  to  sustain 
protracted  flight,  may  prevent  this  bird  from  attaining  the  westernmost  islands  of  the  Aleutian 
(  .lain. 

298.  Drndragapus  canadensis  (Linn.).     Canada  Grouse. 

The  Canada  Grouse  occurs  in  the  wooded  districts  of  the  Yukon  Valley.  It  is  common  in 
some  localities  and  rare  in  others.  The  lowest  point  on  the  Yukon  River  where  it  is  found  is  at 
Mission. 

The  specimens  obtained  by  me  were  fh>m  Nulato  and  Anvik,  in  March,  1876. 


300ft.  BoNASA  UMBBLLUS  UMBELLOiDES  (Dougl.).     Oray  Ruffed  Qrome. 
The  Gray  Ruffed  Grouse  is  a  resident  of  the  wooded  districts  of  the  Yukon  Valley, 
abundant  at  Nulato  and  AnviMT 

The  specimens  which  I  obtained  were  from  Nulato,'March  15,  1875. 


It  is 


301.  LA(K)PUS  laoopus  (Linn.).     Willow  Ptarmigan. 

The  Willow  Ptarmigan  is  found  in  abundance  on  all  the  lower-ground  regions  of  the  entire 
mainland  coast,  including  the  Peninsula  of  Aliaska.  It  prefers  the  more  level,  open  localities, 
and  is  rarely  found  near  the  edge  of  the  wooded  districts,  it  beiug  there  replaced  by  the  Dusky 
Grouse,  D.  obsciirua  fiiliginosxut ;  the  Spruce  Partridge,  D.  canadensin,  aud  the  Gray  Ruffed  Grouse, 
B.  umbelltu  umbelloides.  Though  during  winter  the  Ptarmigan  seeks  shelter  under  the  willow 
patches  or  other  bushes  on  the  creek  banks  and  in  the  ravines,  I  li  ive  never  observed  this  species 
on  the  Peninsula  of  Aliaska  or  on  any  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  The  physical  character  of  those 
regions  precludes  the  probability  of  it  inliabiting  them,  it  being  there  replaced  by  L.  rupeHtria, 
and  it  alone.    The  Willow  Grouse  is  always  abundant  where  found. 

In  the  last  part  of  March,  nr  by  the  lOth  of  April,  the  male  begins  to  show  few  markings  of 
rich  brown  on  the  neck.  This  is  so  constant  a  period  that  the  lunuit  have  adopted  it  as  the  name 
of  their  fourth  month,  and  call  that  mouth  Kiip  ndkh  chik,  or  when  the  neck  of  the  Ptarmigan  is 
half  brown. 

The  mating  season  begins  by  the  middle  of  May.  The  mule  selects  his  mate  by  going  through 
a  series  of  t'ant4istic  antics,  such  us  spreading  his  wings,  his  tail  outspread  and  thrown  over  the 
back,  the  neck  ruffled,  and  head  either  thrown  back  to  meet  the  tail  feathers  or  else  stretched  along 
the  ground,  while  he  utters  a  hoarse,  barking  croak  and  starts  into  the  air  with  a  bound,  to  sail  and 
flutter  round  and  round  in  a  circle,  and,  alighting  a  few  yards  from  her,  to  advance  to  her  as  though 
he  wanted  to  run  over  her,  but  stopping  when  near  to  stretch  up  his  neck  and  again  go  throueh 
the  same  performance.  Woe  to  another  male  which  thinks  to  coax  away  the  object  of  his  choice. 
The  intruder  has  only  to  be  seen  by  the  other  when  a  battle  takes  place.  They  seize  each  other 
by  the  feathers  or  comb.  They  pull  and  Jerk  until  the  one  or  other  is  exhausted.  The  intruder  is 
nearly  always  vanquished,  as  the  other  would  die  before  deserting  his  chosen  female. 

The  natives  have  taken  advantage  of  his  pugnacious  habits  and  capture  great  numbers  of  the 
males  by  preparing  a  stuffed  male  and  fastening  it  firmly  to  a  sharpened  stick  inserted  into  the 
body  and  securely  tied  to  it.  They  then  have  a  small  net  of  three  or  four  feet  square,  to  which  are 
fixed  two  pegs,  one  at  each  corner,  to  fasten  it  securely  to  the  ground.  The  native  sets  out  in 
search  of  a  pair,  aud  can  hear  them  before  long,  as  they  are  near  some  patch  of  snow  on  the  open 


OONTEIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


153 


groond.  He  approaches,  fastens  the  net  to  the  ground,  and  sticks  the  bird-decoy  near  tlie  net.  The 
live  male  soon  perceives  the  decoy  and  inshes  to  it  to  give  battle ;  he  pulls  and  tugs  at  it  until  the 
native  Jerks  a  string  which  throws  the  net  over  him.  I  once  saw  a  male  Ptarmigan  lulvau'  <i  to  the 
decoy  while  the  native  was  yet  setting  the  net,  and  not  a  foot  from  the  decoy.  In  some  instances 
the  male  la  so  courageous  that  he  will  advance  when  the  decoy  is  held  at  arm's  length.  Even 
throwing  the  net  over  him  does  not  cause  him  to  desist  fighting. 

The  nesting  season  begins  about  the  Ist  of  .Tune,  or  when  the  snow  is  generally  gone  from  the 
low  grounds  and  hillsides.  The  nest  is  usually  on  a  hillside  or  under  the  shelter  of  a  solitary 
straggling  bush  of  small  size.  A  few  grass  stalks  or  blades,  with  the  few  feathers  that  fall  from 
the  female's  breast  and  abdomen,  form  the  nest. 

The  number  of  eggs  varies  from  nine  to  seventeen.  The  period  of  incubation  was  not  deter- 
mined. The  young  are  able  to  follow  the  parents  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched.  The  young  remain 
with  the  old.  They  are  able  to  fly  as  soon  as  they  are  as  large  as  Bob  White,  C.  rirginianus. 
By  the  middle  of  August  they  attain  this  size,  and  are  the  size  of  the  adult  female  by  the  1st  ot 
November.  During  the  month  of  September  the  birds  feed  on  berries,  and  their  flesh  is  then  bet- 
ter than  at  any  other  season. 

When  the  snow  has  pretty  well  covered  the  ground  in  late  November  the  Ptarmigans  assem- 
ble in  immense  flocks,  often  numbering  thousands.  I  was  once  out  on  the  higher  grounds  ju8t  south 
of  the  CrookedCanal.  J  ascended  a  slight  hill  and  came,  unexpectedly,  on  one  of  these  large  flocks 
that  covered  acres  of  ground.  I  was  among  them  before  either  was  aware  of  it.  They  flew,  and 
made  both  the  air  and  earth  tremble.  There  must  have  been  over  five  thousand  birds  in  this  one 
flock.  They  flew  beyond  a  neighboring  hill-range.  Approaching  night  and  a  heavy  snow  falling 
prevented  me  from  following  them. 

During  the  winter  these  birds  subsist  on  the  past  year's  twigs  of  the  willow  and  alder  or  other 
bushes.  I  ha^'e  cut  open  the  crops  of  many  of  these  winter-killed  birds  and  found  them  to  contain 
only  pieces  of  twigs  about  one-third  of  an  inch  long,  or  just  about  the  width  of  the  gape  of  the 
posterior,  horny  part  of  the  bill,  as  though  this  has  been  the  means  of  measurement  in  cutting  tliem 
off.  The  flesh  at  this  time  is  dry  and  of  a  peculiar  taste.  In  the  spring  the  Ptarmigans  congregate 
in  great  numbers  on  the  willow-bushes  and  eat  the  tender,  swelling  buds.  The  flesh  then  ac(iuires 
a  bitter,  but  not  unpleasant  taste. 

As  open  weather  advances  they  find  berries  that  have  remained  frozen  the  entire  winter,  and 
tender  grass  shoots,  and  later,  insects.  The  young  are  insectivorous  to  a  great  degree  in  their 
youngest  days.  They  consume  great  numbers  of  s^.idcrs  that  are  to  be  found  on  the  warm  hill- 
sides. 

The  Ptarmigans  that  are  reared  on  the  Kavy&yak  Peninsula  migrate  late  in  the  fall  to  the 
interior.  In  the  spring  these  birds  go  back  to  their  summer  haunts.  The  natives  then  arrange 
pieces  of  brush  into  small  clumps  set  in  a  line  and  extending  along  the  ice.  Ou  the  branches  of 
this  brush  they  hang  nooses  of  sinew.  The  place  where  the  birds  usually  go  back  to  the  peninsula 
is  near  the  end  of  Norton  Bay,  opposite  8haktolik  and  Egowik.  The  natives  there  prepare  these 
thickets  set  with  nooses  during  this  season  of  migration.  The  birds  come  in  such  numlH-rs  to 
those  places  that  when  they  see  the  bushes  they  follow  them  and  many  tliousands  are  caught  in 
the  snares. 

A  single  native,  having  only  half  a  dozen  clumps  of  these  bushes,  placed  about  seventy-flve 
yards  apart,  cannot  take  the  captured  birds  out  fast  enough.  They  say  the  birds  seem  to  fall  to 
the  ice  from  every  direction,  they  come  in  such  great  numbers.  A  man  will,  in  a  single  day,  catch 
a  sledge-load  of  them.  The  natives  bring  them  to  Saint  Michael's  by  the  load;  and  sell  them  in 
that  quantity  for  a  mere  trifle.    They  are  used  for  dog-food  at  this  season. 

The  Ptarmigan  is  by  far  the  most  abundant  land  bird  of  the  Yukon  district. 

The  question  has  been  agitated  whether  the  Ptarmingan  moults  the  feathers  from  the  summer 
plumage  to  the  white  of  the  winter  plumage,  or  whether  it  is  a  fading  of  the  colors  of  the  summer 
plumage.  The  female  during  the  incubating  season  is  completely  denuded  on  the  alKlonien  and 
inner  side  of  the  upper  thigh  of  feathers.  In  the  winter  this  tract  is  completely  feathered  with 
white  feathers.  The  abdomen  at  that  season  (when  bare)  is  covered  with  a  thick  yellow,  greasy, 
wrinkled  skin,  that  is  probably  to  protect  her  from  the  wounds  she  n)ight  sustain  while  on  the  nest, 
S.  Mis.  166 20 


im- 


154 


OONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


and  also  to  allow  her  to  bring  the  warmth  of  her  body  directly  in  contact  with  the  eggs.  Birds 
killed  just  on  the  approach  of  the  moult  for  winter  always  revealed  pinfeathers  having  a  white 
feather  just  starting  out 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  Ptarmigan  is  A  kdzh  gik,  and  refers  to  the  sound  nroduce<l  by  this 
bird  when  alarmed.    Then  the  note  is  a  kaak,  when  sounded  deep  in  the  throat. 

302.  LA.OOPUS  BUPESTRis  (Gmel.).    Rock  Ptarmigan. 

The  Rock  Ptarmigan  is  found  on  all  the  hills  and  higher  ground  along  the  entire  coast  region  of 
Aluska.  In  the  interior  it  is  found  only  on  the  mountain  chains.  It  is  abundant  within  the  Arctic 
circle  and  down  to  Krvliuk  Island.  To  the  westward  it  is  found  on  the  peninsula  of  Aliaska  and 
all  of  the  eastern  islands  of  the  Aleutian  chain.  It  is  the  only  species  of  Ptarmigan  found  on  the 
eastern  Aleutian  Islands,  unless  the  Willow  Ptarmigan  may  be  found  on  the  island  of  Unimak,  a 
few  miles  from  the  iieninsula  of  Aliuska.  On  some  of  the  islands  it  is  extremely  abundant ;  among 
those  may  be  mentioned  Unalushka,  Unimak,  Akutan,  and  Akoon. 

It  is  resident  where  found ;  and,  among  the  islands,  rarely  leaves  its  native  island.  At  Akutan 
they  are  more  abundant  than  elsewhere  observed.  They  come  even  directly  into  the  village,  and 
may  be  seen  or  heard  at  any  time  on  the  hill-sides  near  by. 

At  Unalashka  they  seem  to  prefer  the  high,  rocky  ledges,  but  everywhere  come  down  to  the  low, 
narrow  valleys  to  roost  and  rear  their  young.  They  rarely  assemble  in  large  flocks ;  a  dozen  to 
twenty  individuals  usually  comprise  a  flock. 

The  mating  season  begins  in  the  early  part  of  May,  and  is  continued  for  abont  three  weeks,  by 
which  time  a  site  for  the  nest  is  chosen,  usually  amidst  the  tall  grasses  at  the  mouth  of  a  wide 
valley,  or  else  on  the  open  tundra  among  the  moss  and  scanty  grass. 

The  male  has  assumed  his  summer  plumage  of  rich  chestnut,  fulvous,  and  black  markings  on 
the  neck,  head,  back,  anJ  edges  of  the  wings,  the  rest  of  the  body  being  white,  which,  by  its 
contrast  with  the  other  colors,  makes  a  maguiflceut  plumage.  The  female  has  less  chestnut,  black, 
and  whito  plumage,  and  more  of  the  fulvous  to  render  her  less  conspicuous.  In  the  male  the  neck 
is  stretched  along  the  ground,  the  tail  spread  and  tlrown  over  the  back,  the  wings  outstretched, 
while  he  utters  a  rattling  croak  that  may  be  heard  for  a  lung  distance. 

They  seem  to  be  less  pugnacious  than  the  Willow  "Grouse"  or  Ptarmigan. 

The  nest  of  this  bird  is  composed  of  a  few  i^talksof  grass  and  a  few  feathers  that  fall  from  the 
mother's  breast.  The  nest  is  a  very  careless  ntfair,  and  often  near  the  completion  of  incubation  the 
eggs  will  lie  on  the  bare  ground  surrounded  by  a  slight  circle  of  grass  stalks  that  have  apparently 
been  kicked  aside  by  the  mother  impatient  of  her  task.  The  number  of  eggs  varies  from  nine  to 
seventeen,  eleven  being  the  usual  number.  The  exact  date  of  incubation  was  not  determined  by  me. 
The  joung  are  able  to  follow  the  mother  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched.  As  this  bird  never  collects 
into  large  flocks,  I  always  supposed  the  flocks  seen  in  winter  were  the  parents  with  the  brood 
reared  the  previous  summer.  The  power  of  flight  of  this  bird  is  much  stronger  than  its  congener. 
It  is  sustained  for  a  longer  period  and  much  more  rapid.  The  flesh  of  this  species  is  better  than 
that  of  the  Willow  Prarmijtan  and  is  much  sought  for  as  food.  The  best  time  to  hunt  this  bird  is 
early  in  the  morning  when  the  wind  is  calm  and  a  moist  snow  is  falling.  The  birds  are  then  slug- 
gish and  dislike  to  rise  to  the  hilltops.  At  Saint  Michael's  this  bird  is  more  often  seen  in  the 
winter,  as  during  the  summer  it  is  on  such  parts  of  the  mountains  as  are  rarely  visited  by  man. 
The  physical  character  of  the  Aliaska  Peninsula  is  eminently  suitable  to  this  bird,  abounding  in 
abrupt  ridges  of  mountains  and  high,  small  plains,.just  such  grounds  as  are  not  resorted  to  by  the 
WMllow  Ptarmigan. 

The  seasonal  changes  of  plumage  take  place  in  April  to  the  middle  of  May  for  the  summer,  and 
in  November  for  the  winter  plumage. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  Vng  ati  trik,  and  refers  to  the  guttural  note  produced  on  being 
surprised. 

The  winter  plumage  of  this  Ptarmigan  is  pure  white  with  a  black  stripe  at  the  base  of  the  bill. 
In  many  of  these  birds  the  black  stripe  in  the  winter  plumage  is  wanting. 

The  adult,  male  breeding-plumage  of  the  specimen  obtained  from  Unalashka,  May  18, 1877, 
presents  the  following  pattern  of  coloration : 


u 

< 


III 
o 

•< 

D 

K 
U) 

X 
D 
GO 


!• 
J 
D 
Q 


w 

2 

H 


w 
2 

W 

JC 

H 
<J 
w 

I— » 

PC 
H 
en 
W 

a. 

Q, 
O 
O 
< 


J) 

a, 
O 
O 
< 


& 

1 


< 
X 
b 


K 
U 

CO 

< 
X 
ui 

f" 

s 

Q 


Id 
Z 
« 

H 


CO 

K 
H 

CO 

W 

a, 

DC 

C/3 

D 

O 
O 
< 


>  >  V  /  , ;    I !  I    ) 


r ,    \         I  >•  iv 


\.  I. 


•1    '     I    -        •!        I 


I     t  ■         ,     I'    I. 


,t 


I 


I         I,          II.  r  . 

,  ii'm  II-     I'   I    I     I'  ,(1    li     •    il    .       I.-'    I 

1              '■-.   .11  ,1  -  >|.  '    'I     '  '.■        II      .'  I       -s 

i!  ■•            '         ■• s.'l  ''ii'-     .  ■, 

■[       I  1    >  1 1  :   :.,     .  •■ 1  .  i.i'i  I: : '  '  I     ■ 

!'■•• '  I         II   •  _ii'  '•  .|         I    ' 

I-  ,              I   J         II       :  '    !■      I 


111     I      I 


.11.    -I 


.          '    :         r      .1     ;  .1     .       . 

■  .       Ill        ,1  '  t        '      '!  •  I    1  . 

I             ..      I  ,                 ■                  !      ■  II  I     •  .        1,1 

'■'  ■■■'■.■,.■':  ,ll    •      .    I         '      .   , 

■II,-       I,  ;l•^,  ..,  ,    . 

I  i       _      I  -    '                      I.       ■  .  'Hi-  mi 

■.    .   .         .n        •  i.ii  .1        ,1 


II   \     .1 


)■    I  .    .  ■  :  •:    |.' 

1  ■         .11,1'', 
'l         I.  \      ,•  ■  '1, 

'    r      , '  :  ■  ,       .-  '  ■ 
I  -         ■■    1 1         III..'', 
li    I  .  ■■  ■':{:\ 

t  v; :  '  'I     »" 

i.i.i    ,  .      ,11.'  ;  s  ■: 
■il'    I.  ,-       1  '■       ;, 

'11.    1'  •'    •  ■■ 


^ 


■i 

Oh 


% 


{^^■^\: 


2 

.1 

a: 


V, 


^ 


X 


rr. 


44^' 


"^ 


% 


I 


■•V* 


OONTBIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATtJBAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


166 


.     I 


Orouiul  color  of  back,  McupiilarM,  riiiup,  nml  iip|)er  tiiilcovortHdnik  livprbrown,  the  nape  and 
crown  li({lit  reddiMhbrowii  barred  witli  bhick  ;  wliile  the  back  and  oilier  jioMtcrior  part«  arc  very 
finely  and  dunrndy  vcrniiculated  with  black,  jtrodncinK  the  dark  liver  brown  aHpcct.  Chin  and 
throat,  white.  Tlicjut;idiim  Hindliir  to  the  crown  and  na]it>,  but  with  the  black  ImrN  broader  and 
more  diHiinct,  becoming  liner  and  leNH  diMtinct  on  the  upper  breaNt.  The  winK<  incliidinK  the 
priiinirieH,  MccondarieH,  and  Nome  of  the  tertiaricH,  white  with  few  Ncattercd  featherH  of  the  name 
pattern  of  coloration  aH  the  upper  back.  The  lonf^er  tail-ci  >ertH  are  Homewhat  darker  than  the 
color  of  the  back,  owin^;  to  the  liner  verniieuhition  of  the  black  and  the  brown  colorN.  The  black 
Hti'i|)e  from  base  of  Hide  of  bill  iiucli  Hpottcd  with  white.  The  lower  breattt,  abdomen  and  under 
tail  coverts  white.  Tail  black  wnh  a  very  narrow  tip  of  white.  The  outline  of  the  tall  is  decidedly 
i-ounded. 

The  adult  female  breeding  pluuuigeof  a  Hpecimen  *  obtained  at  Unalanhka  May  18, 1877,  pre- 
sents the  foIlowin({  pattern  of  coloraticm :  Upper  i)artH,  including'  bead,  neck,  and  upper  tail  covertH, 
bright  brown  ocher,  tli"  tips  of  each  feather  either  brighter  or  else  white  ;  coar.sely  barred,  having 
a  tendency  to  spotting  with  black,  wliicli  on  elevating  the  superincumbent  feathers  is  greater  in 
area  on  each  side  of  the  shaft.  The  lower  parts,  incliidint;  tore  neck,  breast,  and  sides,  bright  yel- 
low ucher  with  sparser,  but  more  regular,  bars  of  black,  i  '  wings,  including  [trimaries  and  sec- 
ondaries, white.  The  wing  coverts  similar  to  the  coloratio'i  oi'  the  hind  neck.  The  thinks  and 
sides  broadly  barred  with  black  and  light  yellowish  ochei  The  abdomen  white.  The  lower  tail- 
coverts  very  distinctly  barred  with  black  and  yellow'  '\  ochei.  the  latter  color  lliiely  dotted  with 
black  and  narrowly  tii»ped  with  white.  The  claws  'li^ek,  with  liglit  edges  and  tips.  The  tarsus 
ami  toes  of  both  sexes  covered  with  line  downy,  white  feathiis,  containing  but  few  bristles. 

Ti,<>  I-  loratiou  of  this  bird  is  entirely  distinct  from  that  1 1  the  species  occurring  farther  to  the 
westward,  and  is  somewhat  darker  than  birds  from  the  interior  of  the  mainland. 

IWIo.  Laoopus  UUPESTK18  ATKHKNHIB  (Turner).    Turnerh  rtarntigan.    [See  Flutes  III 
and  IV.] 

Catalogue  number  8r).'5!)7,  S  ad.     Atklia  Island,  Alaska,  May  29,  1879. 

(hound  color  of  ni>per  parts  light  olive  brown,  altogether  lighti'r  th.in  in  corresponding 
plumage  of  r«|)<'«<ri«.  The  whole  surface  very  finely  and  densely  vermiculated  with. black.  The 
tips  of  nu»ny  of  the  feathers  lighter  and  more  grayish,  with  vi  ry  narrow  crescentic  bar  of  whitish. 
The  ground  color  of  bead  and  na|)e  above  is  more  yellowish  than  on  the  back.  The  crown  spotted 
with  black.  Ground  color  of  fore  neck,  jngidum,  ami  upper  breast,  light  fulvous  or  yellowish- 
brown,  distinctly  and  somewhat  regularly  barred  witlr  black,  The  ui\»er  breast,  sides,  and  flanks 
similar,  but  more  tiucly  and  distiui^tly  barred  with  dusky.  The  wing,  lower  breast,  abdomen,  and 
under  tail-coverts  i)ure  while.  The  inferior  upper  tail-covorls,  in  this  example,  are  little  lighter 
than  the  rump,  simply  the  obliteration  of  the  prevailing  color  of  the  back.  Tad  black  and  de- 
cidedly truncate,  not  rounded,  as  in  rupeiitris,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  white. 

No.  85598.  $.    Juno  7,  187'J.     Alkha  Island.    This  example  of  few  days  later  plumage  pre- 
sents no  appreciable  ditt'erence  from  the  one  of  May  2'K    The  distribution  of  the  white  on  the  up- 
per breast  is  little  greater.    The  dusky  shaft  of  the  primarieu  is  quite  conspicuous  in  both  exam 
pies. 

Catalogue  number,  85(J00  9  ad.    Atkha  Island,  May  li9, 1879. 

Ground  color  of  head,  neck,  breast,  sides,  flanks,  and  upper  tail-coverts,  liglit-browu  ocher; 
paler  and  much  less  rusty  than  in  the  correspi>nding  i>lunmge  of  rxpeHMn.  The  upper  parts  irregu- 
larly barred  witb  black.  The  most  of  the  feathers  tfpped  with  a  narrow,  crescentic  bar  of  white, 
the  black  bar  immediately  preceding  it  is  much  broader  than  the  others.  The  fore  part  of  the  back 
is  irregularly  spotted  with  black.  Crown  spotted  with  black,  some  feathers  tipped  with  yellow- 
ish-white. Jugidum  and  breast  more  sparsely  but  regularly  barred  with  black.  The  sides  and 
abfiomen  similarly,  but  more  broadly,  barred  with  black  and  light  yellowish-brovn.  But  few  white 
feathers  occur  on  the  breast  and  abdomen.  The  uiuVt  tail-coverts  very  distinctly  barred  with 
black  and  light  yellowisU-brown.  The  wings  white,  the  dusky  color  on  the  shafts  not  extending  to 
the  tips.    The  tips  of  the  upper  tail-c«verts  and  tail  have  a  narrow  baud  of  white. 

*  The  bird  occiirriug  un  Uriulanlikn  Iitlund  has  since  been  doscrilrad,  by  lit.  L.  Stttjuegcr,  as  a  new  sub-ipeciea, 
under  tbe  name  Lagopu$  rupe»trU  neltoni.    (See  "  Auk,"  I,  1864,  p.  226.) 


156 


0ONTBIBUTION8  TO  THE  NATUBAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


Example  85599  9  ad.  June  7, 1879,  ttow  the  same  locality,  is  similar  in  pattern  of  coloration. 
Bill  and  iris  black ;  claws  black,  with  white  edges  and  tips. 

When  I  first  obtained  these  birds  I  was  struck  wi^h  the  greater  size  and  also  with  the  shape 
of  the  bill  and  greater  length  of  the  claws  when  compared  with  the  mainland  bird.  This  bird 
frequents  the  lowlands  and  hills  of  the  western  islands  of  the  Aleutian  (3hain.  They  are  qnite 
plentiful  on  Atkha,  Amchitka,  and  Attu  Islands.  The  nest  is  built  amongst  the  rank  grasses  at 
the  bases  of  hills  and  the  lowlands  near  the  beach.  The  nest  is  carelessly  arranged  with  few 
dried  grass  stalks  and  other  trash  that  may  be  near.  The  eggs  vary  from  eleven  to  seventeen, 
and  are  di.rker  in  color  than  those  of  rupeatris,  and  but  slightly  inferior  in  size  to  those  of  L. 
lagojms.  A  number  of  eggs  of  this  species  were  procured,  but  broken  in  transportation ;  hence,  can 
give  no  measurements  of  them.  The  general  habits  of  this  species  are  those  of  the  other  species. 
At  Attu  they  frequent  the  higher  elevations,  ])robably  on  account  of  the  great  number  of  foxes 
( Vulpea  lagopus,  Baird),  which  occur  on  that  island,  and  have  but  little  to  subsist  on.  The  natives 
of  Attu  assert  that  this  same  species  of  Ptarmigan  occurs  on  Agattu  Island,  and  that  it  is  qnite 
numerous  there,  probably  on  account  of  the  absence  of  foxes.* 

The  following  tables  show  the  com])arative  measurements  of  eight  males  and  seven  females  of 
rupestris,  taken  from  various  localities  in  the  central  part  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Territory  and  from 
Alaska : 


Average  J  . 
Average  ?  • 


^1 


"Si 


. It  ;  4. 10 
.18    3.  SO 


I 


1.21 
1.10 


.07 
.04 


.6S 


7.50 
7.10 


Eight  eiBmpIea. 
Seven  eianiplea. 


MeasuremeniB  of  two  maha  and  two/emaUa  of  atkhennis  from  Atkha  Island, 


ATerege  cf 
J  -wage  9  . 


.01 

.44 

.«7 

.36 

.24 

4.2S 

1.34 

1.06 

.65     7.82 

.8t 

.44 

.83 

.30 

.24 

4.00 

1.28 

1.10 

.87     7.69 

Two  examples. 
Iwo  examplea. 


331.  CiBCUS  HUDSONius  (Linu.).    Marsh  Ilaick. 

The  Marsh  Hawk  appears  to  be  a  resident  of  the  Yukon  district  only  between  the  early  part 
of  April  and  late  November.  Many  specimens  were  obtained  from  the  interior  and  none  during 
the  winter  months.  A  single  specimen  was  killed  at  Saint  Michael's,  where  it  is  rare.  It  frequents 
the  lowlands  and  rolling  ground,  and  especially  the  neighborhood  of  extensive  marshes  bounded 
by  low  hills,  where  its  food  of  ducks  and  large  snipe  abound.  I  did  not  obtain  nest  or  eggs,  though 
it  breeds  in  the  interior.  At  Fort  Yukon  it  appears  to  be  abundant,  as  many  specimens  were  ob- 
tained from  that  locality  in  May  of  1875  and  1876. 

A  flock  of  ten  individuals  of  this  Hawk  were  seen  near  the  graveyard  near  Iliuliuk  Village  on 
Unalashka  Island.  The  birds  wheeled  round  and  around  my  head,  and  at  times  darting  after  my 
cap,  which  I  threw  into  the  air.    I  never  observed  it  before  or  after  that  date,  October  16, 1878. 

This  species  is  a  rare  summer  visitor  to  Attu  Island. 

332.  AcciPiTEK  VELOX  (Wils.).    Sharp-sMnned  Hawk. 

Several  individuals  of  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk  were  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's. 
I  could  not  obtain  a  specimen.  The  natives  of  the  lower  Yukon  River  use  the  skins  of  this  species 
in  several  of  their  ceremonies  performed  over  the  sick. 

This  species  does  not  visit  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

*Tho  Roik  Ptnrniigaii  occurring  ou  the  Nearer  Group  of  the  Alontian  Islands  may  prove  to  bo  distinct  from 
the  one  nronired  from  Atlcliii,  as  the  isolated  condition  of  the  gronp  \vill  fully  warrant  the  assumption.  I  saw  the 
Attu  ttaruiigaus  only  in  winter,  a  period  of  the  year  not  to  be  taken  as  a  time  for  making  comparisons  of  birds  so 
nearly  alike  at  that  season. 


0ONTEIBUTION8  TO  THE  NATURAL  HI8T0BY  OP  ALASKA. 


157 


334.  AooiPiTBB  ATEIOAPILLUS  (Wils.).    American  Goshawk. 

The  Ainorican  UoHhawk  is  a  coinmon  HpecieH  throughout  the  Yukon  Valley,  and  apparently 
confines  itself  entirely  to  the  mainland,  althouf;h  plentiful  along  the  Heushore.  Specimens  were 
obtained  from  Fort  Yukon,  Yukon  Delta,  and  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.  The  tracts  preferred 
by  this  Goshawk  are  the  narrow  valleys,  borders  of  streams,  and  the  oj)en  tundra,  which  it  con- 
stantly scans  for  IMarmigan  and  snuill  mammals;  the  Lemming  forming  a  considerable  portion  of 
its  food.  It  will  sit  for  hours  in  some  secluded  spot,  awaiting  a  rtarmigan  to  raise  its  wings.  No 
sooner  does  its  prey  rise  a  few  feet  from  the  earth  than  with  a  few  rapid  strokes  of  the  wing,  and  a 
short  sail,  the  Goshawk  is  brought  within  seizing  distance;  it  pouiutes  upon  the  bird,  grasping  it 
with  both  feet  under  the  wings;  and  after  giving  it  a  few  blows  on  the  head  they  both  fall  to  the 
ground;  often  tumbling  several  feet  before  they  stop;  the  Hawk  not  relinquishing  its  hold  during 
the  time.  During  the  mating  season  of  the  Ptarmigans  many  males  sutler  death  while  striving  to 
gain  the  affection  of  the  female,  for  as  he  launches  high  in  air,  rattling  his  hoarse  note  of  defiance 
to  any  other  male  of  its  kind  in  the  vicinity,  the  Goshawk  darts  from  a  patch  of  alders  or  willows, 
or  from  the  edge  of  the  neighboring  bluft",  and  with  a  dash  they  come  to  the  ground,  often  within 
few  j'ards  of  the  terror-stricken  female,  which  now  seeks  safety  in  flight  as  distant  as  her  wings 
will  carry  her.  I  have  seen  this  hawk  sail  without  a  quiver  of  its  pinions,  until  within  seizing 
distance  of  its  quarry,  and  suddenly  throw  its  wings  back,  when  with  a  clash  they  came  together, 
and  the  vicinity  was  filled  with  white  feathers,  floating  peacefully  throu;;h  the  air.  I  secured  both 
birds,  and  found  the  entire  side  of  the  Ptarmigan  rippe<l  open. 

On  another  occasion  I  shot  a  fine  individual  as  it  rose  from  a  small  clump  of  willow,  to  which 
I  had  approached  unobserved  by  the  bird.  It  had  been  devouring  a  Ptarnitgau,  which  it  had  se- 
cured but  a  little  while  before.  The  flesh  of  the  bird  was  yet  warm,  though  nearly  all  devoured. 
The  Goshawk  was  only  wing-tipped  with  shot  and  i)roved  to  be  cpiite  vicious,  seizing  my  boot 
with  its  talons  and  striving  to  grasp  my  hand  with  its  beak.  The  bird  was  so  (juitik  that  I  liad  to 
call  the  assistance  of  a  native  to  detach  the  claws  from  my  clothing.  Upon  skinning  the  bird  I 
found  its  crop  to  be  full  of  the  fiei-h  of  the  bird  it  was  eating  when  I  flushed  it.  I  am  under  the 
impression  that  the  (ioshawk  is  not  able  to  fly  with  the  weight  of  a  Ptarmigan  in  its  claws.  It  is 
a  resident  of  the  interior  and  conies  to  the  coast  quite  early  in  sjiriug,  as  is  attested  by  the  fact 
that  1  killed  one  specimen  Ai)ril  28,  and  a  fine  exaniple  was  brought  to  me  from  the  month  of 
the  Uphiiu  (part  of  the  northern  Yukon  Delta),  where  it  was  killed  Ajiril  25.  It  was  a  female, 
and  contained  an  egg  quite  ready  for  extrusion,  and  had  already  received  a  pale  bluish-green  color 
on  the  shell.  The  bird  was  shot  while  on  the  nest,  placed  in  a  small  j»opIar  tree.  The  nest  was 
composed  of  sticks  and  a  few  blades  of  grass.  The  size  was  (juite  bulky,  measuring  nearly  two  feet 
in  extreme  diameter,  and  having  but  a  slight  depression.  The  bird  was  extremely  vicious,  choosing 
to  remain  on  the  nest  rather  than  desert  it.  The  male  attacked  the  native  and  tore  his  cotton  shirt 
into  shreds  and  snatched  the  cap  from  the  head  of  the  astonished  man,  who  was  so  surprised,  at 
the  impetuosity  of  the  attack,  that  he  struck  wildly  at  the  bird  with  his  arms,  and  before  he  could 
reload  his  gun  the  bird  took  flight.  This  Goshawk  breeds  wherever  found  in  summer,  placing  its 
nest  in  a  tree  or  shrub,  or  even  on  the  ledge  of  a  cliff,  imutcesNible  to  foxes  or  other  enemies. 

The  Innuit  i)rize  the  tail  and  wing  feathers  of  the  Goshawk  very  highly  for  tipi»ing  the  shafts 
of  their  arrows  and  darts.  The  relative  value  of  out*  of  these  birds  is  that  of  two  skins  of  the  adult 
reindeer.  They  give  the  name  Cv  ini/  n  llkh  tiik  to  this  species,  in  allusion  to  the  bars  on  the  tail- 
feathers.  The  iris  of  this  si»ecies  is  yellowish,  the  feet  nearly  the  same  color,  lighter  and  brighter 
in  spring  and  summer  and  darker  in  winter.  The  cere  in  fresh  specimens  is  ;<ale  greenish,  becom- 
ing ytllow  on  drying.  The  beak  is  pale  bluish,  to  duinky  or  clouded,  and  always  having  a  blaclc 
tip.  Claws  always  black.  The  eyelids  yellowisli  or  yellowish  green.  This  species  apparently 
preft  .•  tracts  of  country  the  opposite  to  that  chosen  by  its  near  relative,  A.  atricapllus  Htriatulus,  of 
the  lower  portion  of  the  Alaskan  territory ;  the  latter  preferring  the  more  heavily  wootled  por- 
tions. I  was  led  to  conclude  that  the  American  Goshawk  is  not  apt  to  wander  over  great  areas  of 
countvy,  but  that  after  it  has  chosen  a  locality,  which  will  aftord  a  supply  of  food,  it  remains  in  that 
immediate  vicinity,  changing  its  location  only  in  winter  upon  stress  of  weather. 
\ 


158 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


347a.  Abchibuteo  laoopus  sanctijohannis  (Gmel.).    American  Roughlegged  Hatch 
This  Hawk  is  not  abuiulaut  in  the  Yukon  Distiii-t.    A  specimen  was  obtained  from  Saint 
Michael's  and  one  from  Fort  Yukon.    At  the  hitter  place  it  is  more  common  than  on  tlie  coast. 
I  know  nothing  of  its  general  habits,  as  I  failed  to  obtain  either  eggs  or  nest. 
An  individual  of  this  si)ccie8  was  seen  in  captivity  at  Ilii'iliuk  vilhige,  on  Uualashkn  Island. 
I  had  Just  returned  to  the  place  from  a  sea  voyage  in  July,  1878.    The  Hawk  was  a  sorry  looking 
object,  having  been  shot  through  the  wing.    It  eagerly  devoured  jiieces  of  raw  lish   that  were 
thrown  to  it.    A  Bahl  Eagle,  also  in  captivity  at  the  tinie,  was  its  compaliion.    The  two  birds  got 
along  well  together.    The  Hawk  was  quite  passive  and  rarely  attempted  to  show  a  vicious  dispo- 
sition. 

349.  Aquila  OHKYSAiJ'Jos  (Linn.).     Golden  Eagle. 

The  Golden  Eagle  is  not  rare  in  the  neighboihoodof  Saint  Michael's.  It  is  more  frequently 
seen  further  north  in  the  \  icinity  of  Norton  Bay,  and  in  the  hills  back  of  Pastolik,  than  on  Saint. 
Michael's  Island.  The  single  specimen  obtained  by  nie  was  brought  from  a  few  miles  back  of  I'ikmik- 
tiilik,  where  the  bird  had  been  caught  in  a  steel  trap  .set  for  foxes.  The  bird  was  caught  by  the  feet 
as  it  attemi»ted  to  carry  away  the  bait  fastened  to  the  trap.  The  date  of  its  caijture  was  March 
10,  1877,  indicating  a  winter  residence  in  tliat  locality  for  this  bird.  That  momii  vvas  the  coldest 
March  during  the  four  years  at  the  village  of  Saint  Michael's,  but  few  miles  north  of  Pikmiktalik. 
The  bird  was  doubtless  impelled  by  keenest  hunger,  as  it  was  observed  ior  several  days  to  attempt 
to  take  bait  from  other  traps  when  this  one  was  set,  and  succeeded  in  taking  the  Eagle.  The  range 
of  this  bird  is  irregular.  It  is  found  in  some  localities  with  the  Bald  Eagle,  and  again  where  the 
latter  is  not  to  be  seen. 

On  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  is  quite  a  common  bird.  At  Uualashka  they  are  fully  as  common 
as  the  Bald  Eagle,  and  are  reported  to  breed  in  March  in  the  high  blutts  on  Makusliiu  Point. 

On  the  western  end  of  Uimlashka  Island  I  saw  several  of  these  birds  flying  along  the  cliti's. 

At  Atkha  Island  they  are  quite  numerous,  being  more  i)Ientiful  than  the  Bald  Eagle.  They 
are  reported  to  breed  on  the  clitts  and  crags  of  Korovinsky  Volcano.  At  Atklia  the  Golden  Eagle 
is  not  at  all  shy  while  liying,  seemingly  more  intent  on  satisfying  a  curii)sity  as  they  pass  overhead. 
1  saw  a  single  specimen  on  Amchitka  Island,  in  May,  1881,  and  UDiie  further  west  of  that  place. 
They  do  not  at  all  occur  at  Attu,  as  a  year's  stay  at  that  place  aftbrded  me  the  sight  of  but  one 
eagle  while  there.  The  (iolden  Eagle  has  but  one  note,  of  a  prolonged,  shrill  whistle,  uttered  either 
on  the  wing  or  at  rest. 

Their  food  consists  of  ptarmigans,  ducks,  and  other  birds,  while  I  have  seen  them  under  such 
circumstances  that  I  believed  they  were  eating  from  a  dead  lish,  which  had  long  before  been  tlirown 
on  the  beach. 

The  Eskimo  of  Norton  Sound  call  this  bird  Ma  uig  vik,  a  word  I  could  not  obtain  any  ueau- 
iug  for. 

352.  Hali^etus  leucocephalus  (Linn.).    Jiald  Eagle. 

The  Bald  Eagle  is  occasionally  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's,  and  is  reported  to  bo 
not   uncommon  in  the  interior.     I  saw  several  specimens  along  the  coast  of  Bristol  Bay  in  1878. 

Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  is  plentiful.  At  tJnalashka  Island  it  breeds  among  the  cliffs 
on  the  noi  thern  side  of  the  island.  They  breed  early  in  March.  The  young  are  frequently  brought 
to  the  village  of  lliiiliuk,  where  they  are  kept  for  several  weeks,  or  until  some  one  amiiciously  kills 
them.  Several  adults  were  also  seen  there  in  cai)tivity.  They  had  been  wounded  and  brought  to 
the  village.  This  eagle  has  the  habit  of  sitting  on  the  edge  of  some  high  blurt'  for  hours  at  a  time. 
They  are  at  this  place  quite  ditlicult  to  approach.  At  Atkha  Island  they  are  very  numerous,  coming 
directly  into  the  village  to  remain  for  several  hours  .it  a  time.  At  this  time  is  not  at  all  shy.  They 
will  allow  approach  to  within  few  yards,  so  close  that  I  have  thrown  a  stone  to  make  them  fly  .so  that 
I  could  shoot  them  while  on  the  wing.  They  breed  on  several  o(  the  high  bluHsof  the  northeast 
shoulder  of  the  island.  Near  the  anchorage  in  Nazan  Bay,  of  Atkha  Island,  are  two  large, 
sugar-loaf  shaped  rocks  tha^  rise  perpendicularly  from  a  rocky  base,  which  is  exposed  only  at 
lowest  tides.    On  the  top  of  these  peaks,  of  near  250  feet  high,  the  Bald  Eagle  has  reared  its 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


159 


young  for  miiuy  years.  This  eagle  is  foiiud  as  far  westward  as  Attn,  but  does  not  breed  tliere, 
according  to  the  natives.  I  saw  one  at  a  great  height  in  October,  1880,  and  bringing  a  ghiss  to 
bear  on  it  I  could  easily  recognize  it  to  be  the  Bald  Eagle.  This  was  the  only  instance  of  its 
occurrence  from  July,  1880,  to  June,  1881.  The  white  head  and  tail,  with  a  different  mode  of 
flight,  enable  one  lo  distinguish  it  at  a  great  distance. 

At  Anichitka  Island  1  saw  several  pairs  of  this  bird  in  June,  1881. 

I  was  always  on  the  lookout  for  B.  alhicilh, hnt  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  does  not 
occur  on  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

Kepeated  inquiry  among  the  traders,  who  had  been  long  in  the  country,  revealed  to  me  that 
when  they  had  seen  such  birds  as  I  most  desired  to  learn  the  occurrence  of,  1  found,  on  longer  ac. 
quaiulance  with  them,  that  traders  genera'ly  described  an  eagle  that  turned  out  to  be  a  Cormorant 
or  Loon. 

The  adult  Bald  Eagle  is  a  tine  looking  bird  and  always  in  clean  plumage.  When  in  captivity 
he  is  the  most  bedraggled  tibject,  with  scarcely  a  clean  feather  on  him. 

The  food  of  this  eagle  is  rather  mixed,  consisting  of  i)tarmigaiis,  ducks,  and  an  occasional  flsh. 
Any  fish  or  bird  that  may  be  thrown  dead  on  the  beach  is  eagerly  eaten  by  this  eagle.  I  saw  in 
Nazau  Bay,  on  Atkha  Island,  a  pair  of  these  eagles  wrangling  with  dc/ens  of  gulls  and  several 
ravens  over  the  putrid  carcass  of  a  sea  lion. 

This  bird  is  undoubtedly  the  origin  of  the  "  bajglei"  of  the  Eastern  Aleuts,  as  it  sometimes  sits 
on  a  .1  toj)  or  open  space  and  o])ens  its  wings  to  air  them,  or  sits  in  such  ;i  strange  position 
that  It  is,  at  a  distance,  scarcely  recognizable  as  a  bird.  The  timid  Aleut  imagines  it  to  be  some 
strange  beast,  which  entices  the  victim  within  rem  li  and  disappears  with  it;  and,  according  to 
their  story,  this  beast  tnrns  out  to  be  a  man,  who  keeps  the  captive  as  his  servant.* 

I  once  had  occasion  to  ascend  the  top  of  a  high  hill  near  Iliulink  village.  When  I  was  up 
about  500  feet  high  1  saw  something,  otl'  at  what  I  thought  to  be  but  a  comi)arativ<'ly  short  distance, 
and  supposed  it  to  l)e  a  native  hunting  Bock  Ptarmigan,  L.  rupestrh  nclnoni  Stejn.  I  hallooed  for 
the  person  to  wait  for  me.  1  then  passed  round  to  another  side  of  a  spur  and  To'ind  the  object  had 
disappeared,  but  eoon  saw  it  return,  and  found  it  to  be  a  B.ild  JOagle,  which  looked  as  large  as  a 
man ;  lor  the  ditlerence  in  density  of  the  atmospiiere  had  magnilied  it,  as  I  was  much  lower,  that 
when  I  arrived  at  the  top  of  the  mountain  I  saw  what  a  great  distance  1  had  estimated  as  being 
only  a  couple  of  hundred  yards.  Wiien  I  first  saw  the  bird  I  did  not  know  that  a  terrible  gale 
was  waiting  my  arrival  at  the  toji  of  the  mountain. 

353.  Falco  iSLANDrs  Briinn.     White  Gyrfalcon. 
A  single  specimen  of  this  Gyrfalcon  was  killed  at  Saint  Michael's  May  15,  1877.    It  is  not  a 
common  bird  in  this  vicinity,  andofteiu'r  seen  in  spring  than  at  other  seasons. 
I  could  learn  nothing  about  its  habits. 


354«.  Falco  ktsticoM'S  gvrfalco  (Linn.).     Gyrfalcon. 

Several  specimens  of  this  Gyrfalcon  were  obtained  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's,  where  it 
is  a  constant  resident,  with  probable  exception  during  protracted  periods  of  severe  weather  in 
winter  only. 

The  natives  assert  that  this  bird  breeds  on  the  high  hills,  either  on  a  rocky  ledge  or  on  the 
moss-covered  groun<l. 

I  did  not  obtain  eggs  and  nest  of  it.  It  is  very  active  on  the  wing.  Its  food  consists  princi- 
pally of  Ptarmigans,  which  it  seizes  only  when  the  prey  is  on  the  wing.  I  saw  one  capture  an 
adult  male  Ptarmigan  in  April,  1870.    The  Gyrfalcon  struck  the  bird  with  its  breast;  and,  as  the 


•  Tlie  batjijlie  storios  of  t!ie  Aleuts  are  u  woiKlcifiil  mixture  of  einiiiiiig  and  suiicrstitioii.  I  think,  Innvevrr,  tlie 
earliest.  Russians  made  use  of  tlie  oxpressiim  (for  in  the  Russian  language  llie  word  means  deserter,  niuaway)  in  all 
its  subsequent  meaniuns,  in  order  to  deter  their  women,  whom  they  had,  in  most  instances,  forced  from  their  homes 
and  compelled  to  live  w  ith  their  hated  mates,  from  deserting  them  and  returning  to  their  own  pepple.  At  the  present 
day  it  is  used  as  a  •'  bugbear"  to  prevent  the  small  children  from  wandering  away.  Many  of  the  adults  stoutly  niain- 
tttiu  that  they  have  seen  these  apparitions.  The  Attn  people  do  not  use  the  expression  only  as  they  have  heard  of  it 
from  their  eastern  relations.  • 


160 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATFBAL  HISTORY  OP  A.LASK.\. 


Ptarmigan  recoiled  from  the  blow,  the  havk  seized  it  with  its  claws  and  bore  it  to  the  gronnd, 
where  it  soou  dispatched  it. 

In  the  freah  specimen  the  color  of  the  iris  is  yellow ;  bill  white  with  dark  tip ;  tarsi  and  toes 
bluish-white ;  claws  black ;  cere  greenish. 

The  natives  use  the  wing  and  tail  feathers  of  this  bird  as  vanes  for  the  shafts  of  their  spears 
and  arrows. 

Tlie°  Eskimo  name  of  this  Gyrfalcon  is  ChS  M'v  ySk,  and  refers  to  the  longitudinal  stripings  on 
the  breast 

356.  Falco  pereorinus  anatum  (Bonap.).  "  Ditch  Sawk. 

I  saw  but  two  or  three  individuals  of  this  species  at  Saint  Micimel's;  the  character  of  the 
country  not  appearing  favorable  for  its  occurrence.  They  were  observed  at  such  irregular  intervals 
that  I  concluded  the  Duck  Hawk  was  merely  a  casual  visitor  to  that  part  of  the  coast.  In  the 
interior,  and  especially  along  the  high  blufl's  overhanging  the  Yukon  River,  it  is  reported  to  be 
not  rare. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Bristol  Bay  I  saw  two  pairs  launch  from  the  cliffs  near  Cape  Newenham, 
and  also  one  bird  fly  past  the  vessel  as  she  was  anchored  in  the  Nushagak  River,  op|)osite  the 
trading  post  on  that  stream.    This  date  was  June  25,  1878. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  the  Duck  Hawk  breeds  in  the  more  suitable  localities  of  the 
entire  range  over  which  it  wanders.  I  did  not  obtain  eggs  or  nests  of  this  species.  Its  general 
habits  are  quite  well  known. 

1  356a.  Falco  FEREGRINUS  PBALEi  Ridgw.    Teale's  Falcon. 

This  Falcon  was  frequently  observed  on  Amchitka  Island  in  the  month  of  June,  1881;  and  on 
several  occasions  on  Attn  Island,  during  1880  and  1881.  It  breeds  on  nearly  all  of  the  islands  of 
the  chain,  and  is  a  winter  resident,  on  the  Nearer  Group  at  least.  On  Agattu  it  is  reported  to  be 
very  common ;  and,  on  Amchitka  I  knew  of  three  nests  on  the  ledges  of  the  high  blufl's,  hanging 
over  the  sea.  Any  approach  co  the  clifls  was  heralded  by  the  bird  darting  from  the  nest  and 
circling  high  in  the  air,  scre'iming  fiercely  all  the  while.  Any  attiiiipt  to  shoot  the  birds,  while 
flying  over  the  water,  would  have  resulted  in  the  loss  of  the  specimen,  for  they  always  flew  in  front 
of  the  clifls  out  of  gun-range. 

At  Attn  Island  I  frequently  saw  one  of  these  birds  join  the  Ravens  when  the  latter  were 
performing  their  aerial  gymnastics  on  the  approach  of  a  gale. 

The  Hawk  endeavored  to  imitate  the  Ravens,  which  paid  but  little  .attention  to  the  antics  of 
the  intruder. 

At  Attn  this  hawk  is  not  common,  though  the  natives  assert  that  it  is  common  enough  at 
Agattu  and  the  Semichi  Islands.  The  natives  had  told  me  that  where  this  Hawk  breeds  there 
will  be  found  the  nests  of  Eiders.  I  could  not  believe  it  until  a  short  stay  at  Amchitka  Island 
forced  me  to  recognize  it  as  a  fact,  for,  in  each  instance,  the  nests  of  Eiders  were  very  abundant  in 
each  of  the  localities  where  the  nest  of  this  hawk  was  known  to  be.  It  is  quite  probable  that  the 
hawk  selects  the  place  with  special  reference  to  prospective  young  Eiders. 

The  Eskimo  use  the  skins  of  the  smaller  hawks  in  several  of  their  dances,  and  in  many  of  the 
incantations  held  over  those  afllicted  with  disease.  The  skin  is  affixed  to  a  large  mask,  worn  over 
the  face.    The  skin  of  Accipiter  velox  is  also  used  for  the  same  purpose. 

357.  Falco  columbarius  ^Linn.).    Pigeon  Haicl: 

This  species  of  Hawk  was  observed  on  several  occasions  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's, 
though  never  at  such  times  as  led  me  to  believe  that  it  breeds  there.  Its  visits  were  merely  wan- 
derings at  times  when  not  caring  to  devote  it«elf  to  the  duties  of  rearing  its  young. 

Unfortunately  their  appearance  was  at  such  times  that  I  could  not  procure  a  specimen  from 
the  mainland. 

An  individual  was  procured  at  Unalashka  in  the  year  1879,  and  was  the  farthest  west  tbat  I 
observed  the  Pigeon  Hawk. 

In  the  early  part  of  August,  1881,1  saw  two,  evidently  mates,  at  the  northwest  end  of  Kadiak 
Island. 


f 


IJ[iJIHH,,i    .i,i7"-»'iii,«»(». 


0ONTK1BUTION8  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISl'ORY  OP  ALASKA. 


161 


V. 


364.  Pandion  HALiAfirus  OAROLiNENSis  (Giuel.).    American  Otprey. 

A  Hingle  speciineu  of  the  AinericAu  Oaprey  was  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon,  May  20, 1876.  It 
is  re]>orted  as  an  early  arrival ;  and  during  tbe  summer  to  be  not  unuommon,  though  it  ranges 
along  the  smaller  tributaries  rather  than  the  larger  rivers. 

I  have  been  assured,  by  natives  and  white  persons,  that  the  Osprey  does  not  descend  the 
Yukon  River  lower  than  the  Mission.  At  Nulato  it  is  quite  common  on  the  north  side  of  the  river, 
and  rarer  on  the  south  side. 

They  return  for  many  years  to  the  same  nest. 

I  did  not  obtain  either  eggs  or  nest  of  this  species. 

Some  of  the  native  tribes  greatly  prize  the  wing  and  tail  featliers  to  affix  to  their  arrow  shafts. 

367.  Asio  ACOiPiTBiNUS  (Pall.).     Short-eared  Oicl. 

The  Short-eared  Owl  is  the  commonest  bird  of  prey  in  the  Territory.  It  is  to  be  found  in  all 
localities  of  the  mainland  and  Aleutian  Islands.  It  is  most  abundant  on  tbe  lowlands,  where  it 
may  be  seen  on  the  wing  nearly  every  day  in  the  year.  It  is  a  common  sitrht  in  the  spring,  during 
the  arrivals  of  the  smaller  kinds  of  water  birds,  to  see  this  owl  sailing  or  Hopping  over  the  marshes 
in  search  of  food.  During  the  brightest  days  it  generally  remains  in  an  alder  thicket,  but  flies  at 
the  least  alarm.    They  are  more  often  shot  as  it  flies  unwittingly  by. 

I  had  occasion  to  go  out  to  the  end  of  my  house  one  night  with  a  lighted  cigarette  in  my 
mouth.  Suddenly  something  came  so  close  to  my  head  as  to  nearly  knock  my  cap  off.  In  a 
moment  another  came.  I  saw  it  to  be  an  owl  and  ran  for  my  gun.  As  I  suspected  the  light  from 
my  cigarette  had  attracted  the  bird  I  tried  some  inatclies.  In  a  moment  owls  were  thick  around 
me.  I  succeeded  in  killing  nine  of  them,  and  knew  that  several  more  were  lying  not  far  ofl",  but 
could  not  And  them,  as  1  could  only  see  objects  which  were  several  degrees  above  the  horizon. 

I  could  not  obtain  eggs  of  this  species,  although  it  is  reported  to  breed  anywhere  among  the 
gniss  and  moss  of  the  hillsides.  Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  this  owl  is  not  rare.  I  obtained  a 
specinuMi  at  Unalashka  Island,  where  the  natives  assert  it  is  to  be  found  in  the  larger  ravines. 

At  Atklm  Island  I  saw  one  of  then:  as  it  flew  from  a  patch  of  wild  rye.  It  wa«  the  only  one 
seen.  At  Attn  I  saw  one,  but  missed  killing  it,  as  it  was  too  far  ott°  for  large  shot.  The  Aleuts 
have  no  good  word  for  this  bird.    The  women  are  afraid  to  touch  it. 

Among  the  natives  of  the  Yukon  District  the  liver  of  this  bird  is  used  as  a  love-philter.  The 
liver  is  dried  and  reduced  to  a  powder;  and  placed,  unknown,  to  the  person  to  whom  the  philter 
is  to  be  administered,  in  some  food.  On  eiiting  the  food  the  desired  afl'ectiou  is  supposed  to  make 
itself  evident.  I  knew  of  an  instance  where  a  native  endeavored,  by  this  means,  to  regain  the 
affection  of  his  wife.  The  motherin-Iaw  had  more  potency  than  dried  owl-liver;  and  as  she  con- 
trolled her  daughter  the  philter  was  as  naught. 

It  is  administered,  indiflerently,  by  man  or  woman,  and  is  frequently  used  by  the  Eskimo. 

The  native  (Eskimo)  name  of  this  owl  is  M&ny  ku  chef  wuk. 

370.  Ulula  oiNEBEA  ((Juiel.).     Great  Gray  Oicl. 

The  Great  Gray  Owl  is  a  resident  of  the  Yukon  Valley  and  was  obtained  on  the  coast  at  the 
Uphxiii  Slough,  (he  northern  part  of  the  Yukon  Delta.  It  is  not  common  ♦here.  The  specimen 
was  a  female  containing  large,  but  undeveloited,  eggs,  two  in  number;  hence  should  conclude  the 
period  of  incubation  to  be  from  the  latter  part  of  April  to  middle  of  May,  as  this  specimen  was  ob- 
tained April  8, 1876.    The  iris  was  yellow,  bill  white,  cere  pale  flesh-color,  and  dark  claws. 

Several  specimens  were  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon,  where  this  bird  appears  to  be  uommou 
and  resident. 

It  is  said  to  be  very  stupid  during  the  day  but  active  during  the  twilight. 

Their  habits  weie  not  learned. 

The  colors  of  this  8i)ecie8  are  dusky  grayish-brown  and  grayish-white;  the  former  color  pre. 

vailing  above  and  the  latter  below;  the  upper  surface  with  mottlings  of  a  transverse  tendency; 

the  lower  surface  with  the  markings  in  tbe  form  of  longitudinal  stripes,  which  are  transformed  into 

transverse  bars  on  the  flanks,  &c.    Face  grayish-white,  with  concentric  rings  of  dusky.    The  tail 

S.  Mis.  155 21 


162 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NA.TURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


having  a  denidud  teiideiii;.v  to  iiltvriiiitiiiK  baiN  of  Miu  prtwailiiiK  'rolorH  of  tlio  body.     IriH  yollow  ; 
bill  ivory- white  in  llfu,  drying ytUlowish;  cere  pale  tleHh-color  in  life;  elawHdark. 

[.'JTOa.l  Ulttla  fiiNEBKA  LAPPONlCA  (Ketz.)  Lapp  Owl.  [See  Plate  v.] 
The  difference  between  thiH  specieH  and  cinerea  is  in  the  coloration  alone,  which  in  lapponica 
Is:  Above,  pale  browniHh-gray  and  grayish  white,  with  the  latter  color  pretloniinating  on  the 
lower  snrface,  neck,  and  head ;  back  with  greater  anionnt  of  browni.sh,  rather  darker  on  wings  and 
tail,  which  is  somewhat  darker  on  the  lower  half  than  in  vinerea.  The  diH|)osiMon  of  the  colors  pro 
duce  irregular, ragged  stripes;  longitudinally  less  evident  and  the  brown  narrower  on  the  lower 
parts.  Facial  disks  asliy-grny,  with  narrow,  concentric  rings,  scarcely  regular,  hut  more  so  than  in 
cinerea.  Bill  yellowish  in  life,  somewhat  the  color  of  soiled  ivory.  The  iris  yellow,  claws  light 
edge<l,  with  darker  bases.    Cere  dark. 

A  single  specimen,  an  adult  female,  of  this  species  was  brought  to  uie  April  15, 187(>,  from  the 
Yukon  Delta.     It  is  said  to  be  quite  rare.     I  could  not  learn  anything  special  regarding  its  habits. 

371.  Nyotala  tkngmalmi  BiCHAEDSONi  (Bonap.).    RicharAson'»  Owl. 

Richardson's  Owl  does  not  occur  on  the  coast  near  St.  Michael's.  It  inhabits  the  wooded 
districts. 

A  specimen  was  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon,  where  it  is  reported  to  be  not  uncommon. 

Natives  from  Nulato  describe  a  small  species  of  owl  as  being  qnite  ])lentifui  in  that  vicinity.  I 
have  uo  doubt  they  referred  to  this  species. 


I 


"•750.  BlTHO  viBOiNiANtTS  STTBAROTioi'S  (Hoy).     Western  Homed  OtrJ. 

The  Western  Horned  Owl  is  only  an  occasional  visitor  to  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Saint 
Michael's,  its  i)lH(!e  on  the  barren  grounds  being  taken  by  N.  nyctea. 

A  single  specimen  was  obtained  from  a  valley  about  sixteen  miles  sourlK^ast  of  the  Redoubt. 
This  locality  contains  a  few  stunted  poplars  and  alders,  of  which  some  of  the  latter  were  the  largest 
seen  by  me  along  Norton  Sound  coast.  Another  specimen  was  a  young  bird  obtained  on  the  port- 
age between  Illukuk  andNulato,  though  nearer  the  former  i>lace,  in  the  month  of  October. 

Along  the  upper  part  of  the  Yukon  Uiver  this  owl  is  common  and  resident  wherever  found. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  owl  is  MU  M  pi  nk,  and  has  reference  to  the  tufts  of  feathers 
on  the  head. 

There  is  great  difterence  in  the  pattern  of  coloration  and  its  distribution  in  each  specimen  of 
this  bird  obtained  b.v  me. 

In  examjjle  730.S!),  9  ,  ad.,  March,  1877,  from  Saint  Michael's;  a  nearly  pure,  white  ground-(!olor 
beneath,  regularly  barred  with  narrow  brownish  black  on  sides  aiul  flanks,  becoming  obsolete  on 
legs  and  median  line  of  abdomen  and  lower  breast.  The  under  tail-coverts  bar:ed  with  black,  the 
bars  about  one-third  as  wide  as  the  white ;  the  under  tail  surface  contaiiissix  transverse  bars,  whitdi 
are  about  one-fifth  as  wide  as  the  white,  the  latter  terminal.  The  upper  breast  and  thrctat  white, 
with  irregular,  large  blotches  of  slaty  black.  A  few  feathers  of  rufous  on  the  lower  parts,  mostly 
evident  on  elevating  the  feathers.  Wings,  head,  and  back  slaty  brown,  much  spotted  with  irreg- 
ular markings  of  wh'.te.  Face  lighter  than  back.  The  upper  surface  of  the  tail  is  similar  to  the 
back,  except  that  the  markings  are  finer  and  show  no  signs  of  bars  only  when  the  tail-feathers  are 
elevated.  A  few  irregular  patches  of  yellowish,  brown  become  evide  it  when  the  fenthers  of  the 
upper  surface  are  <listurbed. 

No.  7.'J(I90,  S  ,  ad.,  June  20,  1876,  from  Fort  Yukon.  This  exami)le  has  the  slaty  brown  pre- 
vailing on  the  lower  i)arts.  The  breast  and  sides  are  nearly  confluent  bais,  wliicli  extend  across 
the  ui)per  breast;  disappearing  and  leaving  a  pure  white  patch  on  the  lower  breast  and  upper  ab- 
domen. The  lower  abdomen,  thighs,  and  tarsus  are  whitish-fulvous,  with  very  fine  bars  of  dusky- 
brown,  which  become  nearly  obsolete  on  feathers  of  the  tarsus,  and  there  jtrevail  as  fine  broken 
bars  on  i«n  ashy  ground,  showing  a  slight  fulvous  tint.  The  under  surface  of  the  tail-feathers  con- 
tain* se'en  bars  of  less  distinctness  than  in  No.  73089.  Wings,  back,  head,  and  tail  above  are  a 
«'ia«lc  darker  than  in  73089,  with  the  dottiugs  of  whitish  very  irregular  in  size  and  distributi<ui. 


f 


'|»    v'^mimfttwnilfv^. 


!  ^;  V. 


; 


i 


^....^S5i'^' 


•;* 


■■■> 


ULULA  CINEREA  LAPPONICA     (Retz.)    Adult  Ffma 


»»«■. 


1  f,   ONK-TllIPn   iNATUP 


xi%i 


•I 


i^^ 


/ 


■^n^.  ;*ipiiw">'7' 


,?75ff.  Hvpo  viKiHMAN'T.s  srHAuoTK't  n  (Hoy  .     ^^',1te'■'a  }lorned  O'rl. 

Tilt'  \V»>»ti'iii  [loriifMl  Owl  is  oiily  nil  (H-cjisioii.il  visuivr  to  tho  iiniinMliut*'  'viciiuiy  of  rtiiiiif 
Mi'  ;iu»-!'s,  its  j)liiri>  on  tli«.'>iHT<ii  gn'iinils  boinR  laki'ii  Ui  Y.  n/i'tt'i. 

A  siiinU'  ftpeoiincii  Wiis  ol)t;iii)e<l  froiii  .<.  ^  Mcy  about  :-:r!ci('.j!!  'iiilas  H(tntlic;»st  of  ll»i>  Red mbt. 
'n<i>'  ItHrtiify  (MJiitHiiis  v  CiMv  .stinitfil  i><))>l,:r;-  .ul  a'lltTS,  of  wliici'  -oiuc  nf  tin-  hitlcrvi"!!'  tin-  l.ujrHut 
Bdi-ii  l\v  lilt'  i!-tr.»f  \orf<ni  .Siitinil  coaht  AixNipr  ■'iH'^'imf?;  *8-<  ■•  yniiiji  t,nl  <>l)lj«bi  •(  "vi  flir  !)i»rf- 
jigi'  ix-iwi'.'fi  >  MMik  aJi'lNnlato,  tlio-iijili  i-'*'w  tKe  tir>i  ►«("■•  <4i»i  -    !i.  !ii<   .^Mi-th  «it  «Vf</», 

A  'oi  if  ih*  wji^Mi^j  fpsirv  skf  i5>f  Yukofi  l<  .>i  Mo»«  owl  <•  -  -  .1  iv     »  •!  k.-'  w  1;   r  ',t'it\ii  i\HH*»i. 

on  Ml*  l.i'itfl. 

'l*hf  !?•  !    jjieat  titttVij'  i!i'<>  'r,  -iH-  fvnv-fp  of  At4»n  *U,  w  «■         >  ♦V^Jvti"^-' 
tfiis  fiiril  '"liUtint'd  ii.v  ine. 

hi  (■Xiiiiijilc  7uOH!l,  9  ,  lul.,  ,M.in'lj,.IHTT.  t'roiii  S:»i;i;  M^'liat?  ,j  i»'h'I> 
boiuMth.  it'unlarly  l)!H'r("l  \>i!ii  nuirow  biowaisli  hlucK  '.r,  siiii>  unl  il.inK 
h>jrt<  iiinl  iiicilian  liiii>  of  ahiinDioii  ;iii<l  low.  1  'iiffn.si.  'J'bi*  -inile!  i.-iico  .>rl-<  liarrcd  with  1)1, ick,  tin- 
\K\ve>  al)iiiit  (iiif  tliiiil  as  V"i<U'  n<  tlio  w  liitt> ;  tiiuand*)!' t&il  HOifiU'c  >.  ■>  itniUMsri  (ihiisvit>'-  .l>iii>.  wliii'li 
uie  iihoiK  ono-tifth  its' wide  a,"  the  white,  the  l»itert«ntiiRa!.  Ti-.  iipiHT  >  -list  ami  ihioat  wi.irc. 
with  icujiular.  !ar..;«-  i.l.'tchfm.f  »»!i»t  .  hlnck.  A  fow  fvatlu'i-s  of  fifou.s  i-u  'ic  \<n\fv  iiari,;.  riiosdy 
t'vid*  II!  on  t'k'vj»U")i  rSi.   f«,ithti«      Witij;s,lMiiMi,  iUid  lisn-l-    ■<iat»    i.iowti.  ii!-.  - 1'  npot  u><l  witli  ini-jr 


I-  :ir'7!»   ot    f»«»ti »,.•!« 

'It  .  .0'}|   SJX'tlMlt'n    ol 

M  hill'  yruiui'i  I'oloi 
I'DiiiiiiL'  ohsoli'te  on 


ular  tntifkiiiir.H  of  wh;; 


r-uv 


■H' 


'ibun  iNtfk.     1  lie  ii})!H*jr  sifH«i*  of 


,i<\  IN  Minilar  tu  (he 


»-.ick,  e.vtcjii  thai  t!i.  Hisrkmg'^  nr  •*'■»?  aiiU  slio*  uo  i«i{.'ii->  of  |.i-Lt  only  v.L«-;i  fhc  tiul  ft'iiliu'ix  aio 
fiieviitei'  A  WW  iircjfti'ar  pjtti^M>.  ;V  ii'JtowWb,  brow  it  iwcoiiu'  Lv.>leiir  wIik;  tlio  ffHtla-i-n  of  tho 
■)i«j>^r  .>iirf;ic»'  iir*-  (li^turbt'd. 

So.  (•'«Mt(l,  ij  ,  ail,  .hin^>  20,  H7w  iyifWwi  'i  »kon.  Vhi- <',«i*!iiiili-  hats  jhi  sl.uy  l>,':\vn]U!' 
4*ki:^  on  the  lovor  junts.  The  hrtA^.  $»W^#<W  *fv  n<?»rlj  co'iHuout  liar.s,  wUk-Ai  4'y.r.-H«l  (miiokk 
i'., «.  Kinr  hri>ai«t;  (liftupiu'jirinij  and  U  i  Htsg;  #i|***  ♦*t»'t^  ,'.«tch  on  :  lie  lower  lif^axt  uud  iit>|i«T  ah- 
•■i(*i»»-*?  T(o».'<".wor  iilxlonii'.n,  thiiflis.  titu*  T^fwi)'  ^tN'  ^Kjb»ii  fiil\.iii».  with  vory  (irie  I  ,tr.-t  of  dusky- 
?»»)**>,  <»|«Bt«Ji  bPWHoe  iH'aily  obholot*-  on  i  i»het>  iW  h*-  ■  s<''>a«<  and  Hurt*  prevail  as  riue  bmkeu 
!»Af»  iv«  M*  >*<sUy  gifiund,  sliowing  a  rilij:ht  l^so^o?  .i,,: .  '!  ,>»  ifxliT KiirfHce  of  tlii'  tail  foathi-rs  I'on 
iMni*  'Wf4'tt  imr<i  of  1<"<»  distiMCtness  tUfHi  iu  >*-(>,  '••"<*•  '•'  <«  <*,  back,  head,  unit  tai!  ;Uio\i'.  tui  a 
*i»j«^«  dailiw  tluiii  in  TVtSO,  with  the  dottuijirs  of  i^iii*  t*t^  •nrwgultii  in  size  and  distribution. 


h 


162 


ooNTiimrrroy  t  oothf  «j«fauAL  iii»tory  of  alaska. 


h«VT>i(r  .1  diio,idf<l  ttnd«^>'fy  N-  »  •wt'iiittii*^'  lat- ■  <*  hIk'  itrfvai'iiir  coIoik  of  llm  Icdy.     Ii!-  \<'ll<)w; 
N(l  h'orywhil*  in  liiV,  dryiiip.  '>«)«|irti*h;  n*    i^Ip  deMb  «xtk>rm  lift-;  <ilawH.birl*. 

i'<70«.]  lTr.UJ.il  fH(K;^«i,A  i,APP<»»»i.  JiPtz.}  '«w)  (Vir/.  jS»>«'  f'lrtte  v.] 
Th"  <lirt'e.«tK^;  l»»'f  we**  '.*■»  tiiWSJ'**'  'Jist4  tdafrm  m  in  the  roloration  «k»i«»,  wliwii  in  <Ofvm«c<i 
1h;  AIk)v<',  pmIj"  bi'»»iiiHU>  ?"■.*  i»Md  ***?>>♦»  «hii»",  «vilh  tho  lntt«<r  «»!  >i  pn-donvBAiiii);  on  tho 
lower  t»iit faw.  U"».li  mid  hr  1*4  »»*vli  v ;  !.  ■■  '<nt»?r  aiKonni  A  lirownUh,  r.nhti daiktr  on  \viiitf«  ami 
fiiil,  which  JM  )»oi.>  nhtti  4li».'/'i*  ^imUi*  k  -iv^  >nlf  th.nt  lU  ('i««'rffo.  Tin!  disfn-itionoi  tlo'  lolDripro 
diice  iir«);iilsti,  1  H'Jt*''  wf'**"  •  'aB^tii'i.ft^Mj  leHH  fvideiil  i»u<l  th<i  bi-owi  iianowiT  on  rln«  lower 
jmrta.  I'-ivciwI  <iti*V»  iMdi .  -i^'W-,  wJtb  iMjsiww.ooitceutiw  rinij:^, sonrcely  icfijolHr,  but  more  sio  than  in 
oinerfa.  i'ill  «vfi(kwi-«li  iti  '•fc  «otnov»lu  'iie  folor  of  soih  .1  ivorv.  'ih.'  iri-  yi«llo«,  claWM  lii,'ht 
©dgetl.  with  liar'  «<r  '•KKes,     •  i>r.'  dark. 

A  ait'jflc  ^i«wi**en,  afi  a^i  iH  feiUA(«.  i»<'  bis  Hp»»f;U'!'  •  »•  bmujrht  Ui  >ui»  April  15,  H7t),  from  the 
Yukon  l)(  lt*».     t    •*  xaid  to  t«  Mnfte  ran^      /  "nuld  iua  Icmk  anythiiiK  >  "•  iai  r»'tfai'diii!,'  ilshablt.». 

371.    i*V«U*I,A     IIINO  «!(«,«•)    ttl'  HirM«»!'!*Xf  {lkM.*»    •       i5tH#rtJ«^-»v^»<  rJwi 

KichftnlifOKi  f»*l  d'M»*  »n»>    »><!«*'  <>«  fJH     ..ukjih   i«f<i»    •*»    tfwM  (h»*'.      ^    if*vs'i*»i>H  ^b*-  <»->041>hI 
di-»rn<:f;ic. 


A  sitetniuMi  w)w<  obfaiiifcrl  ftoin  ^N  M  ,\nkon,  wwii*  .f  i*  r«'j*  ■•»♦-!  jo  b»  nM  eifv^jmrt  ii<»m. 
Xntives  from  Niilatodesciibo  n  .^u.nH  s;.  tH!i«v  of  /     >    is  Imm?  ',  'tiiit«p'*ii»  <!»1  ii!  Moo  viriiiity. 
hioe  'io  doiilit  f  h»'y  refiTi'fd  to  thin  npi'cies. 


1 


iCV. 


X 


-^»-*-— T^-"-^"rv-      -n^ip>n 


iivuifw.sif    •■'.■•■■wwi^iw  «ivpf^^imm«tvviipvqmp«ff« 


PLATE  V. 


•  I.U  ii'Ka«  LitrflTT  rR.NTiHe  c 


ULULA  CINEREA  LAPPONICA     (Retz.)   Adult  Female,  one-third  Natural  Size. 


•t; 


PLATE  VI. 


:^c..4i&^^ 


^^eto#.^..«?^|P^ 


UB'try  ~fti«IT,(lfl  »  N 


SURNIA  ULULA    (Linn.)   Adult,  three-sevenths  Natural  Size. 


»^    *n' 


■WW^W"|(|P^"^(<WH  I     l»l  I 


CONTKIHLTIONS  TO  JilK  NATURAL  IIISTOKY  OF  ALAHKA. 


Ift3 


TIm>  tlmmt  Ih  white  with  irr«');iihir  pHtch«H  of  hJHttkiHh,  iiaviiiK  f«*w  NpotM  of  IuIvoiimoii  t'ltcli  TiMttlit^r 
not  puri'l.v  whitt\ 

No.  TOL'TIt,  I'rotii  Huint  Mifliiu'l'M,  liiiH  tiit*  ImrN  tlii«>r  iiiul  i<xt«'iiiiiii^r  iM'iirly  ium'ohm  tlif  iiiiticrMiir- 
fH«ioortlii>  IxhIv,  Willi  *-xff|itioii  ol'throiit,  iipptT  Itrt^itHt,  uiul  Ickm.  'rh«  tliroiit  ni'iirly  piiri'  white. 
Thi'JiiKiiliii' iiiiii  iippiM-  iii'fiiNt  witli  t't^wiM'  ItlotdiiPH  of  IthutliiNli.  Thi>  tail  itiiil  Km  iiimIci' covcrlM 
tiiH'ly  liiirrt'ii  witii  iiii>n>  <lc4-iilfil  lirowiiiHJi.  Ij«*km  lu'tiriy  iiniforin  wliitiNh  fiilvmiN,  witli  f)>w  irn'^iilitr 
nuii'kiiiKH  of  li^'liItT  Ill-own  than  on  itlxloiniMi  himI  Hhowiii^  iiiii  littli>  liiti'i'iii(.'.  l-'.ntir*' iippi>i'Miirfii<'«> 
bimI  win^H  MJitty  Itrown,  with  very  lliu^  initi-kiii);N  of  whiti^  and  fiilvonH,  tlit>  hitliT  in  I'xit'HH  on  cli^ 
viitiii^;  lilt'  tipN  of  tlii>  fi'iilh-iM,  tlioiit;|i  ncHiiy  coiicfaltMl  wImmi  tlit*  I'tNithcrs  iir«  arraiiKi'il  in  onh^r. 

No.  7(»-'77,  9,  Saint  MifliacrH.  This  I'xaiiiple  in  MirikiiiKly  "litH'icnt  fioiii  all  lln- oIIumm.  Th»< 
groiiixl  rolor  Im  ^raylsli  I'iiIvoiin  alio\«>;  tail  anil  win^  covtM'tN  ar<>  tlii>  ilarkiT  portioiiN  of  tli*'  iipp«>r 
Hiirfaci'H.  'rii<>  Itai-k,  mIioiiIiIits,  Iii'imI,  anil  rninp  hIiow  narrow  liiioN  traimviTHfly,  uiili  liitli>  iliHpo- 
8ition  to  form  Imuh,  iIm'  inarkiiiKM  iM'in^  v«-ry  irii'^iilarly  ilixpoNiMl.  The  tail  aliovc  hIiowm  u  slight 
evi(lt>iii-«>  of  hairiii^r,  anil  lit'coint'H  niMirly  olmoh'ti'  liclow,  whi>ri>  tlit*  inferior  Hiirfare  of  thi*  fiMithiTM 
Rhow  the    ItarH  only  on   the  inner  weh  ami  only  olisoletely  on  the  extreme  half  of  the  outer  weh. 

The  lireaNt,  neck,  hIiiIoiim mil  let;H  are  nearly  pure  whitish  ;    \>arn  of  very  line  lineN  are  traiiH- 

vernely  ilJHpoHeil  on  the  Niiles  and  llankH.     ThiN  example  is  a  yoiiii);  male,  in  nearly  adult  plumule, 
olitaiiieil  in  Mareli,  IH77,  having  been  a  liirdof  the  previoiiH  year. 

There  are  no  appieeialile  ilitVeienceH  in  the  ineaNiireiiientN  of  any  liirdH  of  thiH  Hpei^ieM  olttHined 
from  thoNe  loealilies.  The  liill  is  iiliie  lilaik  ;  eere  ilark  K>'*'*'niN)i ;  elnwH  hlaek,  with  lit;liter  ti|m; 
Iris  yellow,  with  line,  hiownish  sp.  eks,  etipeeially  nearer  the  pu;)''- 

'M(\.  Nycvi-ka  nyctka  (Linn.).     Snowi/  Owl. 

The  Snowy  Owl  is  a  leniilent  of  all  the  northern  part  of  .\Iiwka,  both  inte'ior  and  iimiilar. 
The  first  specimens  seen  i)y  me  were  on  a  hi^h  pieee  of  tloatiiiK  iee,  far  out  at  sea  between 
Saint  Mathew's  Islmid  and  Saint  Lawrenee  iNlanil,  in  lierin;;  Sea.  Several  ritU*  shots  were  tired 
at  them,  whieli  had  only  the  etfeet  to  make  the  birds  walk  to  another  phiee  on  the  iee.  At  S.iint 
Michael's  this  owl  was  frcipiently  liroiiKht  to  me.  I  have  seen  them  on  the  hill, just  liack  of  the 
Kedoiibt  and  on  the  liills  be.xond  the ''(Janal."  A  few  miles  in  the  interior  it  is  quite  plenlilul  at  all 
Heasons  of  the  year.  It  Hies  ipiite  as  well  dnriiif;  elouily  days  as  at  ni;;lit  but  Is  at  all  times  rather 
shy.  They  are  inoie  often  obtained  when  they  are  startled  from  some  buii()i  of  ^jiass  or  straKKlinfj 
willow  patch.  I  know  iiothinjj  of  their  breedinp  habits,  but  the  natives  a.ssert  that  it  breeds  under 
the  overlapping  },'rass  on  the  edjte  of  a  low  blutl';  that  it  lays  four  white  ej{K'<  early  in  April. 

This  Owl  is  not  rtire  on  some  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  A  tine  spei-iineii  was  shot  by  Mr.  Rob- 
ert Kiii^,  the  a(;ent  of  the  Western  Fur  and  Trading  Company,  at  lliuliiik  vilhi};e,  I'liaiashka  Island. 
The  (Jwl  had  l)eeii  observed  for  several  nights  on  some  of  the  buildiii^js  near  the  stal)le,  doubtless 
watching  a  convenient  opportunity  t^)  pounce  on  a  ]>air  of  tame  rabbits  that  lived  under  the  stable. 
Tli«  bird  was  ailtiiiK  on  tlie  tla}f-statf  but  a  few  yards  in  front  of  the  dwellinj;  of  Mr.  King,  who 
immediately  presented  tlie  bird  to  me. 

This  is  the  only  instance  when;  1  obtained  a  specimen  from  Unalashka  Island.  'V\h\  natives 
assert  that  it  is  only  occasionally  seen  there.  At  Apittu  Island  it  is  quite  common.  It  rarely 
visits  Attn,  but  few  miles  from  it.  Its  rarity  is,  doubtless,  due  to  the  presence  of  foxes  (  V,  layojms) 
on  the  latter  island. 

On  Agattu  Island  this  Owl  is  a  constant  resident. 

The  food  of  tl  is  bird  is  composed  of  grouse,  ducks,  and  an  occasiotial  stranded  tish.  The  irin 
is  yellow;  bill  and  claws  white. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this    iwl  is  Cng  pUk,  or  Great  Beard. 

[377.J  SuKNiA  uiATLA  (LinD.).  Hawk  Owl.  [See  Plate  VL] 
Above  light  brownish  gray,  darker  on  up|)er  back;  sides  of  lower  neck,  wings,  and  tail  much 
spotted  with  irregular,  quadrate  blotches  of  grayish-white,  having  a  slight  tendency  to  produce 
undulating  bars  on  the  it  ddle  back  ;  the  brown  color  ])redoiniiiating  on  the  tail,  wings,  and  lower 
ueck.  Head  and  nape  wl,  -sh-gray,  with  tine  bars  of  light  brownish-gray  on  the  occiput,  becoming 
les8  ju  (iinouiit  i^t  tlte  lower  .losterior  margin  of  the  crown,  Crown  grayish,  with  numerous,  irregular, 


1 


164 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


transverse,  narrow  bars  of  brownish-slate,  these  dark  markings  becoming  more  numerous  on  the 
forehead.  The  ear-coverts  of  slaty-brown,  forming  a  conspicuous,  perpendicular,  bar  which  is 
produced  over  the  disk  of  each  eye.  A  poatcervical  band  of  light  brownish  gray  is  scarcely 
interrupted  in  its  conjunction  with  the  perpendicular  bar  behind  the  ear-coverts.  Sides  of  wing- 
coverts  nearly  pure  white,  with  few  markings  of  the  same  color  as  the  middle  batsk. 

Facial  disks  grayish-white;  the  bristles  on  the  sides  of  the  base  of  beak  blackish. 

Lower  surface  grayish-white  with  numerous  narrow  bars  of  grayish,  brown;  the  latter  bars 
oe«npy  about  one-half  the  width  of  the  grayish  space  on  the  breast  and  sides,  and  become  about 
one-fourth  as  wide  on  the  abdomen  and  with  a  corresponding  increase  in  the  width  of  the  grayish; 
or,  in  other  words,  the  grayish  is  about  four  times  as  wide  as  the  brownish.  Inferior  surface  of  the 
tail  rather  lighter  than  the  superior  and  have  the  grayish  bars  less  apparent,  owing  to  the  two 
colors  blending  together.  The  superior  surface  of  the  tail  is  marked  with  eight,  narrow,  transverse 
bars  of  grayish,  the  latter  terminal,  while  counted  from  below  there  are  nine  bars.  A  broad, 
pectoral  band  of  grayish  extends  from  tiie  carpal  joint,  of  the  closed  wing,  to  the  opposite  side,  and 
is  nearly  an  inch  in  width,  devoid  of  other  tliaii  few.  subquadrate  markings  of  light  brownish-gray. 
Above  this  band  there  is  a  blackish  spot,  of  irregular  outline,  formed  on  the  upper  sides  of  the 
breast.  The  under  surface  of  the  wing  is  not  different  from  the  superior  surface,  excepting  that 
the  spotting  is  nearly  pure  white  and  of  larger  size  than  that  which  shows  on  the  outer  webs  of 
the  superior  surface  of  the  wing-quills. 

In  life  the  bill  is  ivory-white;  iris  yellow;  claws  dusky. 

This  bird  measures  slightly  larger  than  the  American  Hawk  Owl.  The  wing,  9.75  inches ; 
tail,  7.10  inches;  culmen,  .85  inch  ;  tarsus,  .86  inch ;  middle  toe,  .82. 

The  European  Hawk  Owl  is  but  rarely  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's. 

The  first  bird  of  the  kind  that  I  saw  was  brought  to  me  by  a  native,  who  obtained  it  in  the 
bushes  near  the  southeast  base  of  Shaman  Mountain,  near  the  Redoubt.  An  Eskimo  dog  stole  the 
bird  and  destroyed  it  before  I  could  get  it  away.  The  second  specimen  was  ])rocured  by  me.  I 
was  ascending  a  gravelly  point  of  land  on  the  northeast  t-nd  of  the  island,  when  a  native  who  was 
with  me  called  my  attention  to  the  bird,  sitting  in  a  clump  of  rank  grass.  I  had  no  gun  with  me; 
the  native  assured  me  that  the  bird  was  not  vicious.  I  seized  the  bird  with  n:y  hands;  and,  while 
examining  it,  the  soil  and  grass  beneath  me  gave  way,  iind  while  attempting  to  prevent  myself  from 
sliding  down  hill  the  bird  got  away  from  me  and  flew  ott'.  The  third  example  was  brought  to  me 
by  a  native.    The  skin  was  preserved,  but  ha«  been  lost  in  some  unaccountable  manner. 

The  two  species  are  distinguishable  at  a  glance,  by  the  <lark  markings,  prevailing  as  spots,  on 
the  American  bird,  and  the  light  markings  predominating  on  the  European  bird. 

The  natives  assert  that  it  is  a  resident  and  breeds  in  the  vicinity  •.'  Saint  Michael's;  also  that 
it  is  a  coabt  bird,  t.  e.,  not  going  far  into  the  interior;  and  that  it  can  live  a  long  time  in  winter 
without  food,  as  it  remains  for  days  in  the  protection  of  the  holes  about  the  tangled  roots  of  the 
willow  and  alder  patches.  The  native  (Eskimo)  name  of  this  species  is  I  Ung  nUl;  and  signifies 
pallid. 

377a.  SuBNiA  ULXTLA  caparoch  (Miill.).  American  Hawk  Owl. 
Description. — Above  dtirk  vandyke-brown,  darker  anteriorly,  less  intense,  and  more  grayish,  on 
the  tail;  a  narrow  streak  of  brownish-black  originates  over  the  eye,  and  extends  backward  above 
thj  upper  edge  of  the  ear-coverts,  where  it  forms  an  elbow,  passing  downward,  in  a  broad  stripe, 
over  the  ends  of  the  ear-ccverts.  Confluent  with  this,  at  cbout  the  middle  of  the  vertical  stripe, 
is  another  of  similar  tint,  which  passes  more  broadly  down  the  side  of  the  nape.  Between  the  last 
stripes  (those  of  opposite  sides)  is  another,  or  medial  one,  of  less  pure  black,  extending  from  the  oc- 
ciput down  the  nape ;  every  feather  of  the  crown,  forehead,  and  occiput  with  a  central,  ovate  dot 
of  white— those  anterior  more  circular,  those  on  the  occipit  less  numerous  and  more  linear.  Be- 
tween the  lateral  and  posterior  nuchal  strijies  the  white  prevails,  the  brown  forming  irregular,  ter- 
minal and  transverse  or  medial  spots.  These  become  more  lineal  toward  the  back.  Interscapu- 
lars plain;  posterior  scapulars  variegated,  with  partially  concealed,  large,  transverse, spots  of  white ; 
the  lower  feathers  with  nearly  the  whole,  outer  webs  white,  their  confluence  causing  a  conspicuous 
patch  above  the  wing,    Rump  with  sparse,  irregular,  but  generally  traiisverse  spots  of  white  j  up. 


r 


14 


OONTRIBUTIONb  "^O  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


165 


r 


per  tail-coverts  with  broader,  more  regular  bars  of  the  RHme,  these  about  equal  to  the  brown  in 
width.  Lower  feathers  of  the  middle  and  secondary  wing  (joverts  each  witli  an  ovoid,  wliite  spot 
on  the  outer  web;  secondaries  crossed  by  about  three  series  of  longitudinally -ovoid,  white  spots 
(situated  on  tlie  e«lge  of  the  fciithers),  an<l  very  narrowly  tipped  witli  tiie  same;  primary  coverts 
with  one  or  two  less  (continuous,  transverse  series  of  spots,  these  found  only  on  the  outer  feathers; 
primaries  with  about  seven  transverse  series  of  white  spots,  tliese  obsolete,  e.\cej)t  on  the  ti.ti  outer 
feathers,  on  wiiich  those  anterior  to  the  emargination  are  most  conspicuous.  All  tlie  prim«ries 
are  very  narrowly  bordered  with  wliite  at  the  ends.  Tail,  wifii  seven  or  eight  very  narrow  bands 
of  white,  those  on  the  middle  feathers  purely  so,  becoming  obsolete  exteriorly ;  tlie  last  is  terminal. 
Eyebrows,  lores,  and  face  grayish  \.uite,  tht  ;jrayish  appearance  apparently  cuised  by  the  blackish 
shaft  of  the  feathers ;  that  of  the  face  continues  (contracting  considerably)  across  the  lower  parts  of 
the  throat,  separating  a  large  space  of  dark  brown,  wlii(!li  covers  the  whole  throat  Iroia  an  indistinct 
collar  of  the  same,  extending  across  the  Jugulum,  this  collar  uniting  the  lower  ends  of  the  auricular 
and  cervical,  dusky  bands,  the  space  between  which  is  nearly  clear  white.  (Iromid  color  of  the 
lower  parts  white,  but  everywhere  with  numerous,  very  regular,  transverse  bars  of  deep  brown  of 
a  tint  more  reddish  than  the  back,  the  brown  bars  rather  nu  re  than  half  as  wide  as  the  white  ones; 
across  the  upper  parts  of  the  breast  (beneath  tlie  gular  (collar)  the  white  ver\  much  invades  and 
reduces  the  brown,  forming  a  hroad,  lightei  belt  across  the  jugiduiu;  below  this  the  brown  bars 
increase  in  width,  their  aggregation  tending  somewhat  to  a  sutlnsion,  giving  the  white  jugular  belt 
Iwtter definition.  On  the  legs  and  toes  the  bars  are  narrower,  more  distant,  and  less  regular. 
The  whole  lining  of  the  wings  is  barred  like  the  sides.  The  dark  brown  prevails  on  the  under  sur- 
face of  the  primaries,  &c. ;  the  former  having  transverse,  irregular,  elliptiiiil  spots  of  white, 
those  touchiiig  neitlier  the  sliatt  nor  the  edge;  on  the  longest  cpiill  are  seven  of  these  spots;  on 
all  they  are  anterior  to  the  emargination. 

There  is  considerable  individual  variation  of  plumage  in  this  species.  The  darker  colors  may 
be  of  a  more  or  Uws  reddish-brown  and  have  the  same  general  distribution  of  (coloration  as  de- 
scribed above,  or  else  the  lighter  colors  may  be  greiiter  in  amount  with  the  saimc  general  pattern. 
The  beak  is  generally  palest  flesh-color  in  life,  or  even  ivory-white,  but  becomes  yellowish  on 
drying.  The(!'aws  are  dark  to  jiaie  horn-(!oh)r.  The  wing  is  i>  inches  long;  tail,  (>..">  to  7  inches; 
tarsus,  .9  inch ;  middle  toe  (without  claw),  .80  to  .H,'i  inch.  There  are  no  exterior  (lill'eren(!es  in  the 
sexes  of  this  bird. 

The  American  Hawk  Owl  is  a  very  coi::'non  resident  throughout  the  Yukon  district.  Along 
the  coast  it  is  quite  abundant.  They  usually  seclude  themselves  in  the  willow  or  alder  patches, 
or  are  frequently  startled  from  some  grass  covered  bank  of  a  lake.  They  fly  equally  wc'l  by  night 
or  by  day.  I  once  observed  a  bird  of  this  speci(>s  sitting,  during  a  bright  day,  on  a  post.  I  ap- 
proached the  bird  to  within  a  few  feet.  It  s(pn»tted,  then  stood  up,  and  seemed  ready  to  fly  at  any 
moment.  1  went  within  six  feet  of  it,  and  it  then  settled  down  as  if  to  take  a  nap.  I  retired  and 
threw  a  stick  at  it  to  make  it  fly.  I  shouted  and  made  other  noises,  and  only  after  several  attempts 
to  dislodge  it  did  it  fly.  When  taking  flight  from  an  elevated  i)osition  they  invariably  drop  to 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  earth  and  sail  away  rapidly.  They  arte  not  at  all  vicious  ;  they  hold  tightly 
with  their  claws,  and  in  no  instance  did  a  wounded  Hawk  Owl  attempt  to  use  its  lieaU,  though  the 
feathers  on  the  head  and  neck  were  raised  and  an  attitude  of  threatened  attack  with  beak  was 
always  made.  Alter  a  f(!w  minute's  cai)tivity  they  become  passive  and  make  no  ai;('ini)t  to  escape. 
In  the  neighborhood  of  Nulato,  Anvik,  and  P'ort  Yuk(Mi  this  owl  is  (jnite  abiindaiit.  It  is  iiroba- 
ble  that  this  8i)eci(s  rare'y  wanders  far  from  where  it  was  reared,  though  excessive  periods  of  cold 
lUiiy  cause  it  to  retire  to  the  ravines  and  bush-patches  of  the  interior.  The  natives  assert  that 
these  birds  can  live  several  days  with(mt  food,  whi(!h  (consists  of  small  birds  and  mice  ;  the  heads 
of  its  vi(ctims  being  the  preferred  i)arts. 

The  nesting  habits  were  not  learned  by  me. 

The  Eskaio  call  this  bird  Tiilfe  a  ling  iik,  and  refers  to  the  sjiots  on  the  plnmoge  resembling 
something  else. 


390.  Ceryle  alcyon  (Linn.).     Belted  Kinjijinher. 
A  single  specimen  of  this  bird  was  obtain(Ml  at  Fort  tuHoUt 
(ihe  entire  Yukon  River  and  is  a  smnnier  visitant  only, 


It  is  s;iid  to  be  conimon  along 


166 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


394.  Dbyobates  pubfsorns.     Downy  Woodpecker, 
The  Downy  Womipecker  ranges  throngliout  the  wooded  districts  of  AInskn. 
Along  the  Ynkoii  Kiver  it  is  very  common.     It  |)refers  the  poplar  groves  an<l  alder  thickets. 

A.t  the  Yukon  Delta  it  is  common  in  winter,  seeking  its  food  among  the  willow  patches. 

It  occasionally  visits  the  vicinity  «»f  Saint  Michael's,  as  t>ne  was  seen  at  a  distance  as  it  took 

flight  from  a  thicket  of  willows  on  the  edge  of  a  lake,  west  of  the  Retloubt. 

401  fl.  PicoiDES  AMRKICANUS  ALASOKNSis  (Nels.).    Alagkan  Three  toed  Woodpecker. 

Specimens  of  the  American  Three-toed  Woodpecker  were  obtained  from  Nulato  and  Fort 
Yukc.i,  on  the  Yukon  Kiver.  The  bird  is  a  resident  of  the  wooded  districts,  and  common  in  some 
localities. 

The  iris  is  black;  tij*  of  bill  black,  becoming  paler  posteriorly  to  nearly  white  at  base;  toes 
and  feet  black. 

The  difterence  in  plumage  of  olascemis  and  dorsnUs  is  sutticient  to  warrant  the  separation  of 
the  two  forms,  but  from  a  lack  of  sutticient  material  for  comparison  the  matter  may  be  considered 
as  not  yet  decided. 

4016.  PicoiDKS  AMKKiCANUS  noRSAi.is  Baird.    Alpine  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

This  Woodpecker  is  abundant  in  the  interior  wherever  there  are  wooded  districts. 

It  rarely  visits  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.  A  single  -ipecinien  was  seen  in  April,  1876,  on 
the  high  staff' at  the  end  of  the  warehouse.  It  Hew  ottiniu.' iliately.  1  again  saw  an  individual  of 
this  species  among  some  poplar  trees,  about  eighteen  miles  southeast  of  the  Redoubt,  in  March, 
1877. 

At  Fort  Yukon  this  bird  is  numerous.    From  there  I  obtained  all  my  specimens. 

I  could  not  learn  of  the  occurr*  nee  of  this  bird  on  the  western  part  of  Aliaska.  At  Nushagak 
Station,  and  on  the  river  of  tliat  name,  it  is  quite  abundant. 

412.  CoLAPTES  AXiRATUS  (Liun.).    Flicker. 
The  Flicker  does  not  occur  on  the  coast  of  the  Yukon  District  to  my  knowledge.    A  specimen 
was  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon,  v.  here  it  is  int  abundant. 

457.  Sayornis  saya  (Bonap.).     Say's  Phcehe. 
Several  specimens  of  thi.s  bird  were  obtaiu'^d  from  Fort  Yukon,  where  it  arrives  during  the 
latter  part  of  May.     I  am  not  aware  that  it  descends  to  the  coast. 

474.  Otocoris  alpestris  LETroL.«:MA  (Cones).     Pallid  Horned  Lark. 
A  single  specimen  of  this  bird  was  biought  to  me  by  a  native,  who  said  he  had  just  killed  it 
at  Egg  Island,  a  few  miles  (rom  the  village  of  Saint  ISlichael's.    It  was  a  female  and  had  been  just 
killed.    This  species  is  not  common  in  that  vicinity,  but  is  said  to  be  common  en  the  higher  hilla 
just  back  of  the  seashore.    Ihe  bill,  leet,  and  iris  were  black. 

47.1.  Pica  pica  hidsonica  (Sab.).  American  Maypie. 
A  specimen  of  this  Magpie  was  not  obtained  by  me.  Several  of  the  traders  from  the  Upper 
Y'ukon  district  reported  this  siucies  to  be  not  rare  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Yukon,  and  rather 
more  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Reliance,  farther  up  the  Yukon  River  but  south  of  Fort 
Yukon.  I  saw  a  single  individual  at  Fnga  Island  in  the  latter  part  of  .July,  1881.  Itis  said  to  breed 
on  the  island  among  the  alder  thickets.  At  K.i^IiiiU  Island  I  ob.served  quite  a  number  of  these 
birds.  A  young  bird  was  seen  as  !>  .aplive  r^  ivarluk  fishing  station,  on  the  northwest  shoulder 
of  Kadiak  Island.  The  bird  was  quite  gentle,  constantly  uttering  its  harsh  cry.  At  Saint  Paul's 
village,  Kadial-  Island,  1  observed  quite  a  number  of  these  birds  among  the  shade  trees  within 
the  village.  They  were  constantly  ((uarreling  ;  even  the  dashing  rain,  which  prevailed  during  my 
very  .hort  stay  there,  did  not  at  all  dampen  their  ardor  in  nmking  a  noise.  Several  nests  were  also 
8ee!i,  which  had  been  used  euiljer  in  the  jear,  lor  I  «m  them  Aufjust )),  188J, 


!ip[fH|swiuuiis)|;j{>nnii!i)' 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


167 


This  siwcies  does  not  visit  tlie  Aleutian  Islands,  The  farthest  west  that  I  could  learn  of  their 
occurrence  was  at  Belkovsky,  though  they  may  bo  eventually  found  on  Uniuiak  Island,  next  the 
western  end  of  Aliuska. 

484ft.  PebisoreX'S  canadensis  FiiMtFRONS  RidRW.     Alaslon  Jay. 

This  bird  is  known  by  the  name  of  Whinly  Jaek  throughout  the  Hudson  Bay  territory,  and 
Sdyah  to  the  Russian-speaking  element  of  Alaska. 

It  rarely  occurs  in  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's.  Two  siteciniens  were  obtained  at  the  Re- 
doubt, during  my  three-anda-half  years'  stay  there. 

Along  the  Yukon  River  it  is  abundant  aiul  a  permanent  resident. 

The  most  of  my  specimens  were  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon,  Nulato  and  Anvik,  on  the  Yukon 
River. 

I  did  not  observe  it  in  any  oiher  part  of  the  country. 

There  is  great  diversity  in  coloration  of  plumage.  The  old  birds  become  nearly  white,  from 
the  dark  sooty  plumage  of  the  young. 

486.  OoBvus  CORAX  siNUATUS  (Wagl.).    American  Kami. 

The  American  Raven  is  a  resident  throughout  the  Territory  of  Alaska.  In  the  vicinity  of 
Saint  Michael's  it  is  common  in  summer. 

During  the  excessively  cold  periods  of  winter  it  retires  to  the  int.T  or.  It  visits  ■  le  coast  during 
warm,  broken  spells  of  weather  in  winter;  in  the  early  spring  many  individuals  uiay  be  seen. 

It  does  not  breed  near  Saint  Michael's  that  I  am  aware  of,  bu'  on  the  high  blutis  along  the 
Yukon  River  it  breeds  in  numbers. 

The  Raven  seems  to  prefer  the  more  thickly  settled  localities,  and  is  more  abundant  near 
villages  than  in  the  less  i)opulated  districts.  It  is  eoiiimon  at  Nushagak  and  on  all  the  Aleutian 
islands. 

At  Unalaslika  it  is  extrenudy  numerous.  I  have  counted  over  t  wo  hundred  individuals  at  one 
time  at  that  place.  At  Atkha  and  Attn  Islands  it  is  also  very  numerous.  They  are  the  scavengers 
of  the  villages.  They  have  a  great  share  of  intelligence  ;  though  not  sliy  they  are  extremely  wary, 
and  when  ihey  assemble  round  a  i>ile  of  ottal,  left  Irom  cleaning  tish,  which  some  tisherinan  has  just 
brought  in,  they  are  ever  on  the  alert.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  )»ick  up  a  stone  to  throw  at  them 
without  being  seen,  even  though  the  di.«tance  ott  inight  make  one  think  he  has  not  been  observed. 
When  the  person  arrives  at  several  rods  from  throwing  distance,  the  Ravens  take  tlight,  to  return 
as  soon  as  the  intruder  is  out  ot  reach. 

At  Atkha  the  natives  and  others  have  many  chickens.  The  Alaska  Comnurciul  Company  had 
two  roosters  and  several  hens.  One  of  these  roosters,  a  veritable  Turk,  IbuKlit  the  younger  rooster 
until  the  latter  had,  in  some  one  of  his  battles,  lost  his  rigiit  eye.  The  loss  of  this  eye  i»re- 
vented  him  from  guarding  against  the  sudden  attacks  of  the  «)lder  rooster,  which  finally  drove  the 
younger  to  the  outskirts  of  the  tlock  or  else  to  solitude.  The  youn^-er  roost  used  to  hang  round 
some  of  the  hens  to  divert  them  from  the  attentions  of  the  older  one,  wliicli  llnally  gave  him  such 
a  beating  as  to  nearly  kill  liiiu. 

The  Ravens  used  to  watch  these  atVrays,  and  alight  within  a  few  >  anls  to  witness  the  tight,  but 
always  taking  good  care  to  keej)  ont  of  reach  of  the  old  rooster. 

Out  of  revenge  and  a  mixture  ot  jiure  cnrsedness  they  would  wait  until  the  younger  rooster 
was  walking  among  the  tall  grass  and  sail  directly  over  liiin,  then  diop  dt)wn  on  the  ground  near 
bim,  uttering  a  loud  miuak,  which  nnule  the  young  looster  believ.'  the  old  one  liad  slipped  up  on 
him.  I  have  seen  this  done  over  a  score  of  tiuu's,  and  have  seen  the  young  rooster  drop  on  the 
ground  from  fright. 

On  the  approach  of  bad  weather  the  Ravens  retire  to  a  high,  bold  precipice ;  and,  over  its  top, 
or  along  its  face,  they  go  through  the  most  astonishing,  aerial  e\oluiions,  chasing  each  other  for 
hours  in  and  out,  to  the  right  ami  left,  up  i  nd  down.  Their  tiiglit  at  such  tinu-s  is  extremely 
varied  with  rapid  In-atsof  the  wing  or  a  short  sail,  a  sudden  halt,  and  turn  conijiletely  over  and  fly 
back  from  where  they  started.  They  also  turn  over  sidewise,  generally  to  the  right  and  uiuler, 
connng  up  on  the  other  side  and  continuing  without  halt.  They  frequently  liy  with  one  wing  closed 
and  the  other  straight  up  in  the  air. 


168 


CONTKIBUTIONS  TC)  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


One  Riiven  will  svcnre  a  choice  bit  of  offal  aud  dy  away  with  it.  Another,  desiring  a  share, 
will  give  chase,  which  results  in  the  most  wonderful  performances.  The  ])ursuci'  endeavors  to  fly 
beneath  and  snatch  it  with  the  claws  by  turuing  over  and  grabbing  it  from  the  beak  or  claws  of 
the  other.  The  lirst  is  ready  to  turn  abruptly  upward  and  sail  for  many  feet  directly  up.  The 
pursuer  follows,  and  a  dash  to  the  very  ground  ensues,  after  which  the  chase  is  continued  until  the 
one  drops  the  morsel  or  the  other  becomes  tired  of  pursuit. 

1  have  seen  a  Raven  chase  a  duck  (Histrionicua  histrionicus  Linn.)  for  over  a  mile.  The 
Raven  kept  at  the  same  disti'uce  from  the  duck,  neither  gaining  nor  decreasing  the  distance  of 
about  20  yards  between  Ihem.  I  had  a  goo«l  view  of  the  chase,  and  saw  the  duck  start  out  of  the 
water  about  20  yards  ahead  of  the  Raven  as  the  latter  was  listlessly  tlying  over.  The  Raveu  took 
after  it  with  a  '•  /urflA"  which  urged  the  duck  on  at  a  rapid  rate.  The  Raven  increased  his  speed 
to  kee]>  u]>  with  all  the  turns  and  angles  of  the  duck,  which  finally  flew  out  to  seaward,  upon 
which  the  Raven  ceased  pursuit  and  flew  along  just  as  though  nothing  had  happened.  The  Raven 
chased  that  duck  for  no  other  reason  than  ])ure  maliciousness.  I  have  reason  to  believe  the  Raveu 
could  have  caught  the  duck  if  it  had  wanted  to  do  so,  as  1  had  seen  Ravens  fly  faster  on  many  occa- 
sions, but  never  before  had  seen  a  Harlequin  Duck  in  a  hurry.  At  Atkha  Island  I  saw  a  nest  con- 
taining two,  nearly  fledged,  young  Ravens.  The  nest  was  pliiced  on  a  ledge  of  a  low  cliff.  The  nest 
was  composed  of  dried  stalks  of  a  sjwcies  of  Archangelica,  which  grows  abundantly  on  all  the  islands, 
and  son.e  dried  fronds  of  seaweed.  The  rocks  in  the  neighborhood  were  whitened  by  the  excre- 
ment of  these  filthy  birds.  The  walls  of  the  bluff  formed  a  rather  narrow  angle,  and  when  I  ap- 
proached the  uest  the  clamor  of  the  young  birds  was  deafeninjj. 

The  young  are  able  to  fly  by  the  middle  of  June.  The  young  do  not  assume  the  lustre  of  the 
adult  before  the  next  year. 

The  notes  of  the  Raveu  are  extremely  varied  to  express  surprise,  danger,  satisfaction,  or  nearly 
anything  else,  as  they  convey  much  by  their  note.  A  single  male  will  sit  on  some  slightly  ele- 
vated knoll,  and  with  outstretched,  rutHed  neck,  he  utters  a  note  that  sounds  like  that  of  a  choking 
dog.  Two  will  get  close  together  in  early  spring  and  talk  to  each  other  for  half  an  hour,  jttering  a 
series  of  kuttle,  kuttti\  kuttle,  all  the  while. 

AVlien  one  lias  a  piece  of  offal  stolen  from  him  he  utters  a  hirtih.  On  the  wing  they  utter  a 
short  croak,  at  other  times  they  utter  al  liikii,  al  lukli,  which  sounds  like  the  Aleut  word  for  two. 
The  similarity  of  t  lie  sounds  wuised  me  to  remark  to  a  small  boy,  who  was  with  me  that  a  Raveu,  which 
had  just  flown  by  and  littered  his  allfikh,  alliikh,  had  counted  us  coneiitly.  The  boy  did  not  com- 
prehend my  remark  until  I  iiitbrnied  him  that  there  were  but  two  of  us  aiul  that  the  Raven  said  so 
as  he  flew  by.  The  boy  was  soire  time  laughing  at  the  idea  of  a  Raven  counting  us  in  the  Atkhan 
dialect. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  Tu  hi  lag  tik.  The  Unalashkans  call  it  Ka  Ui  kak.  The 
Attn  Islanders  call  it  Ka'l  gakh.  Tliroughout  the  entire  Territory  this  bird  is  intimately  connected 
with  the  myths  and  legends  of  the  natives.  They  ascribe  deeds  of  valor,  heroism,  sagacity,  and 
deepest  cunning  to  the  Raven. 

50't.  ScoLKCOPHAGUS  OABOLiNUS  (Mill!.).     Rv^<ty  Blackbird. 

The  h  usty  Blackbird  is  one  of  the  earliest  land  birds  to  arrive  at  this  locality  (Saint  Michael's) ; 
May  2r)th  being  the  earliest  date  recorded.  It  is  not  coiumon  here,  and  does  not  breeil  in  this 
neighborhood  to  iny  knowledge.    On  the  Lower  Yukon  River  it  is  said  to  l)e  abundant. 

Along  the  uj»per  part  of  the  Yukon  River,  especially  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Yukon,  this 
bird  is  abiiiulaiit.    It  arrives  there  by  the  10th  of  April  and  remains  until  October. 

The  iris  is  white;  bill  aud  feet  black. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  Kdth  ka  gd  yuk. 

I  did  not  observe  this  Blackbird  on  Aliaska  nor  on  the  Aleutian  Islands. 


515.     PiNicoLA  ENUOLEATOB  (Liuii.).    Pine  Orosbeuk. 
The  Pine  Grosbeak  is  a  resident  of  the  interior  and  wooded  districts  of  the  entire  Territory  of 
Alaska.    It  occasionally  visits  the  Redoubt  of  St.  Michael's  duriug  a  warm  i)eriod  of  weather  iu 
winter. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  IIISToRY  OF  ALASKA. 


169 


It  is  very  plentiful  alonp  the  Yukon  River,  especiiiUy  at  Nulato,  Auvik,  and  Fort  Yukon. 

The  specimens  were  all  obtained  from  one  or  the  other  of  those  places. 

The  fresh  si)ecimen8  that  came  to  me  in  'i  frozen  condition  presented  the  following  coloration : 
Bill  dark;  tarsus,  toes,  and  claws  darker;  iris  black. 

It  feeds  on  seeds;  preferably  those  from  the  cones  of  the  spriu'e. 

1  observed  several  individuals  of  this  species  amouj;  the  scattered  clumps  of  spruce  trees  at  a 
few  miles  from  Nushagak,  on  the  river  of  that  name  flowing  into  the  head  of  I'.iistol  J!ay. 
oKi.     PyRRiiULACAssiNi  (Baird).     Cassin's  liulljinch.     [See  Plate  VI I.] 

(Dr.  L.  Stejneger  has  kindly  furnished  mo,  in  February,  1.S82,  the  following  renmrks  upon  the 
status  of  th'^  present  species) : 

"Prof.  S.  F.  Baird's  Pyrrhiila  coccinea  var.  casxiiii  (Trans.  Chicago  Acad.  I,  ISGS,  j).  310),  has 
been  the  subject  of  several  interpretations. 

Mr. Tristram  (Ibis,  1871,]).  -M)  considers  it  to  be  entitled  to  specilic  rank,  while  other  authors 
regard  it  as  belonging  either  to  Pyrrhiiht  ciiieracea  Cab.  or  to  P  majur  Brehm  (=  coccinea  De  Selys). 

It  would,  therefore,  bo  interesting  to  know  to  which  species  liiis  only  American  specimen 
shoidd  be  referred. 

I  have  nunutely  examined  Professor  Baird's  type,  which  is  deposited  in  the  collection  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution. 

The  specimen  is  not  in  the  best  condition,  tlie  outermost  tail  feather  on  one  side  and  the 
innermost  remex  on  one  wing  being  lost. 

It  appears  from  examination  (as  idso  Mr.  Dybowsky  and  PnitVssor  Cabanis,  Jour,  fiir  Ornith., 
1S71,1).4(),  havo  conchidctl  lu'lbre  m(')that  the  American  s|iecinien  isaliMualc.  Tiiat  tlie  specimen  is 
labeled  as  an  adult  male  is  in  all  probability  founded  on  error  wliicli  should  not  mislead  us.  It  is 
not  the  first  instance  that  the  label  has  given  erroneous  information  concerning  the  sex. 

Measurements  of  the  specimen  give:  Cidmen,  .40;  wing,  3.75;  tail,  2.85;  tarsus,  .74,  mid- 
dle toe,  .48  inch. 

Forehead  and  top  of  head  lustrous  blue-black,  this  black  extending  as  a  narrow  line  entirely 
round  base  of  lower  nmndible  and  expanding  to  about  three  times  its  width  between  the  rauu  of 
the  lower  mandible,  The  tail,  including  the  ui)[)er  coverts,  is  lustrous  blue-black  above  and  slate- 
black  below.  Wings  slaty  on  the  renuges,  becoming  the  color  of  i.ie  tail  on  the  tertials.  The 
outer  web  of  the  first  primary  is  g'My,  with  slightest  tinge  of  red.  The  primary  coverts  are  dark 
ash  and  are  thus  (juite  consi)icuous.  The  greater  wing  coverts  are  broadly  edged  with  blui-sh- 
black  and  broadly  tiijped  with  grayish-white.  Nape,  back,  sca])ulars,  lesser  and  middle  wing-cov- 
erts uniform  cinereous.  Kuniii  and  lower  tail  coverts  pure  white.  The  lower  parts  reddish-gray, 
becoming  decidedly  vinaceous  on  the  tlanks.  The  aurieu'irs  tinged  with  red.  Bill  brownish-black; 
tarsi  brown  ;  toes  darker. 

The  specimen  in  question  is  neither  a  male  of  F.  majdr  nor  ci,>('niir(f  nor  (/fiscirtntris  Lafrsn. 

If  it  be  a  male  it  would  be  tpnte  a  new  species,  ot  which  the  male  would  be  almost  precisely 
like  the  female  oi'  cineracea,  as  I  propose  to  show  below. 

When  we  shall  deciile  on  this  ease  we  i>refer  without  hesitation  the  first  alternative  as  being 
the  most  natural  and  probable  one. 

The  under  j  arts  are  of  the  same  color,  exceiiting  a  sonu'wiiat  purer  gray  than  the  same  sex  of 
the  (ireat  European  Bulltineh,  P.  m  jor.  The  color  of  the  back  is  jmre  cinereous,  without  the 
brownish  wash  of  /'.  major.  The  white  of  the  rump  endiraces  an  area  in  width  of  .i)  inche^^  (22 
mm.).  The  outer  web  of  the  first  primary  has  an  edge  of  gray.  The  length  of  the  tail  feather  are 
2.85  inches  (72  mni.).» 

In  some  of  these  ]iarticnlai-s,  which  the  si)eeimen  examined  lia.s  in  common  with  the  female  ot 
P.  major,  it  dill'ers  from  P.  cineracea  in  which  the  white  of  the  rump  embraces  an  area  of  l.;?S  inches 
(34  mm.),  while  the  light  border  on  the  outer  primary  is  nearly  always  wanting.    Tlie  first  priuiaiy, 

•  "  Hftiifl,  UrewiT,  and  Kidgwny,  in  Hist.  N.  A.  It.,  I,  )>.  457,  giv<«  tlio  Iciistli  of  tliti  tnilas;i.a.'iin<'lit>8(f'"i  nun.).  Tlie 
ilitVi'itMiei'  of  llu'  li'nj;[tli  iirist'H  friini  tlie  ilin'i'n-nl  nKtiini-r  of  nirasnroniiMit.  1  myself  (as  dnen  Mr.  Kyliowsky)  measure 
tlie  tail-featliei'S  fniui  Ihe  liasi'  of  the  ipiills  at  llieir  insirtion  anil  ii(il.:i.s  in  tlie  work  nientldiieil  alio',,',  '  ficim  the 
cooojsl  insiile  the  skin.'" 

S.  Mis.  155 22 


170 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TOE  NATURAL  UISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


»1 


with  very  few  exceptions,  is  shorter  tliiiu  the  fifth.  lu  tlie  Hiuno  milliner  the  ineasureinents  best 
agree  with  tliose  cf  i'.  major.  The  avenige  leiifjtli  of  tlie  tails  of  twenty  iii no  females  was  found 
by  Mr.  Dyliowsky  to  be  2.85  inches  (7li  nun.).  Tlie  wiiifj;  being  3.5S  inch  (HO  inin.)  or  precisely 
the  same  nuinl)ors  which  I  have  given  above.  On  the  other  haiiil  the  specimen  agrees  so  closely 
with  the  colors  of  the  female  of  ciiwraira  that  there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  it  is  the  female  of 
churacco.  The  ditt'crences  noted  above  are  only  such  as  also  occur  in  occasional  female  individuals 
of  cineravea,    (See  E.  v.  Ilomeyer,  Jour,  f'iir  Ornith,  1879,  p.  178.) 

There  are  also  two  more  marks  by  which-  Professor  IJaird's  bird  agree  with  P.  ciiicracea,  for  it 
lacks  thereil  sjtot  on  the  innermost  tertial.  The  spot  in  that  bird  being  gray,  with  a  bluish-blacli 
spot  at  the  tip,  and  has  the  tii>s  of  the  greater  wing-coverts  gray  and  not  white.  It  may,  however, 
be  well  to  state  that  occiasional  individinds  of  /'.  major  also  laciv  the  red  spot  on  the  inner  tertial. 
(See  Dybowsky  and  v.  Ilomeyer,  I.  c). 

The  white  on  the  outer  tail  leather  is  rather  large  and  thus  agrees  with  the  majority  of  indi- 
viduals of  ciiicracea.  J'.cassini  has  nothing  to  <lo  with  P.  oriciitalis  Tkm.  {=griseireatris  Lafr.sn). 
This  is  a  smaller  bird  and  much  nearer  allied  to  the  small  European  form  as  will  be  understood 
from  the  following  comparison  which  I  had  the  opportunity  of  making  in  the  museum  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia Academy  of  Nat.  Sciences: 

The  specimens  of  Pyrrhnla  oricntalis  Temm.  here  described  are  a  male  and  a  female,  numbered 
777  in  the  Phil.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.,  and  were  obtained  from  .laiian. 

The  male  of  P.  orientalis  Temm.  isesi)ecially  distingaishabk'  from  the  male  of  /'.  europwa  (the 
small  species)  by  the  gray  of  the  back  being  less  ])ure,  it  being  strongly  tinged  with  rose-red ;  also 
by  the  black  cap  extending  less  farther  posteriorly.  The  color  of  the  throat  and  cheeks  is  purer 
and  more  glossy  rose-red,  while  the  breast  and  remaining  under  parts  are  strongly  shaded  with 
gray.  The  red  color  extends  to  the  crissum  without  becoming  less  intense.  The  tips  of  the  greater 
coverts  are  pure  gray,  not  white  or  whitish.  The  innermost  tertial  has  no  red  spot.  Measurements 
of  the  male  give:  Culmen,  .-tO;  wing,  3.30;  tail  feathers,  2.40;  tarsus,  .04  inch. 

The  female  of  orientaUs  is  distinguishable  from  the  female  europwa  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
male  by  the  gray  tips  o'-  the  greater  wing  coverts  and  wanting  the  red  spot  ou  the  inner  terti^il. 
The  back  is  more  tinged  with  brown,  duller  and  more  reddish  than  in  any  of  the  four  females  of 
europcea  now  before  me,  in  which  the  shade  of  gray  in  ciiropaa  is  more  fulvous,  the  cap  somewhat 
shorter,  the  auiiculars,  chin,  and  throat  more  reddish — -just  the  same  parts  which  in  the  male  are 
more  rosy.  Measurements  of  the  fenuile  give:  Culmen,  .37;  wing,  .'(..l-j;  tail  feathersj  2.44 ;  tarsus, 
.70  inch. 

The  synonomy  of  i'.  cassiiii  will,  consequently,  stand  as  tjollows: 

1831  — Pyrrhnla  rubi-  :11a  Pall.  Zoogr.  liusso  Asiat.,  II,  p.  7  (  9  jiartim.). 

1809. — I'ljrrhitla  <vcciiua  var.  cansiidi  liaird,  Trans.  (Jhic.  Acad.,  I,  ISO!),  p.  310. 

1871. — ryrrhiihi  cusniiii  Tristr.,  Ibis,  1871,  p.  231. 

1872. — Pyrrliiihi  cinvracca  Cab.,  Jour,  liir  Oinith.,  1872,  p.  310. 

Figures.     Transactions  Chic.  Acad.,  I,  1809,  PI.  XXIX;  Cab.  Jour.  f.  Orii.,  1874,  PI.  I." 

While  in  Alaska  1  made  strenuous  endeavors  to  obtain  specimens  of  /'.  caxsiiii  Haird,  but 
failed  to  procure  them.     The  (piestion  of  the  rehitionship  of  the  si)ecies  referred  to  may,  lio\ve\er 
be  considered  as  settled,  as  Dr.  L.  Stejneger,  since  he  wrote  the  above,  has  had  the  opitortunity  of 
comparing  Baird's  tyi)e  of  cofisiiii  with  an  undoubted  specimen  of  ciiierucea,  and  finds  his  identili- 
cation  to  be  correct. 


521.  LoxiA  CUKVIROSTRA  MINOR  (Brelini).    American  GrossbiU. 

.  had  the  good  fortune  to  obtain  a  specimen  of  the  American  Crossbill  at  Saint  Michael's  on 
^"     :nst  4,  1875.    It  was  sitting  on  a  weed  near  the  base  of  the  sundial,  back  of  the  inclosure. 

'easurements  of  the  fresh  specimen  were  as  follows:  5.75  by  10  by  3.25  by  2.     Iris  black,  feet 
and  bill  dusky,  male,  adult. 

This  bird  is  extremely  rare  in  this  locality,  as  some  natives  to  whom  I  showed  it  declared  it  to 
be  the  first  one  they  had  ever  seen. 

This  species  was  not  obtained  by  Messrs.  Dall  and  Bannister  in  the  Yukon  Territory. 

This  is  the  only  individual  ever  obtained  north  of  Sitka,  nearly  COO  miles  further  south  than 
Saiut  Michael's. 


PL  A  IE  VII. 


■.*.■! 


^^1##" 


.,'^. 


*  '.„ 


LOXIA  LEUC0PTE:RA     (Gmel,)     First  Plumage. 
PYRRHULA  CASSINr     <BAr-n\   A-u- r  F;  ma- r 


H 


17(1 


OONTKIJil'IlOSa  T<,«  *rt»    ■   \ki;itAL  illM'OKV  Ol''  ALAhKA 


witli  very  :i".*' i>\<A!|>ii.'!is,  11  sh<jft»i  ..ka*.     Iik  tiA.t«.     iii  the  Aiiino  iiiumn'i  thv  ni'-Huifif*';:!*.  Iwsl 

rtjjTfc  wi'.ii  most' i.r /■  iitiyor,     iit(.- i>.h\'.i[*t,<'  Ifu^rh   .•■.   f  ti«  niiU  of  i»>i'iiiv  nit,«-  i'eii>itlt<M  U'.^  ruiitid 
by   Mr.   iMliowKky  to  l>o,  'i.*i  '/•*-».-«(    72  mm  •.     '  hr  wiu^'  Ih'Iiik   l.oft  ita-Ji    .'O  iiim.;  '»i   ^tuscist'ly 

IIH!    laniO  IllKllttM'*    wbiC'll    I   ;-»>•'    ^1«-U  jiIjKV  <        0;i    (iitM>tll*-r    luilld    ihc  J-jKIi  '(l.*"-!    ll.fM-  -a  ;*.>  (iloscly 

witli  dm  ii'li'ts  111'  ilii«  r»-!»i.y  :',  {iwrroim'  '«  f  ihoii'iaii  l>e  in>  ijoiil.i  Itui  '. hut  it  jh '.Im'  iViiwl.-,  of 
•iviinr,.}.  'I'iti<  dilUri'' <i:*M  i  ••'  'ilw»<i  wr  .'•jii  .«"w;h  ,i-.  ai-«i  occri  iii ';i'i'a,-ii"ii;il  iViuhIi  liuliviiluals 
iif  (•(ii.r/y(..e.(,     I'Si"!'  r    ■     ti.«i  c-yt.  Jovi.     *><>i!.itli,  lA/K,  p.  I.'^. 

.Ilir'ie  rtiv  alui'  V  '■.,!»<  toHi'kik  ..\  «.;'ili  I'l  iWi'H^iii'  iiiiinl'-i  \»inl  ;iyr>'<  witli  !'.  riiuriir:it,  l>ir  il. 
l.u•l^^  till  rt'il  M|>ot  >.  .)i.' iiiiKTOio-t  I'/  i.-.i  i'lH  ^\wt  ill  tliiit  bl  <I  btMii'.'  ,:i.i>",  v.nh  ,i  bli)i»lil)liii'k 
>il»itt  at  ilu"  fi|»,  '••Ki  'la*  llic  tl|>st>r  lilt-  ^'rufor  witi^^  (■(n-<  rts  yniy  and  ,ii(>f  v  inic.  It  may,  liuvvt'ViT, 
!«•  '.Veil  ui  ^'.>U*^  '.  <vi  ui  <M.siiiii;il  iiidu  I'ui^iN  of  ''.  inuj<n  siUo  l.ick  lln'  tc<\  •)!"'».  on  tin:  inner  t<-rti;if. 
(Jjf<    I '.\  !mi    .•-•;. ,    .tiid  V.  lloiiieyiT.  1.  •   1. 

i  ii'  *  ;ii      ,v<  ilic  i)Ult<r  tn\l  l^NtifliiT  is  i.i!lu;r  liiijjf  iind  tliiiS  np;i>"'.»  wiili  lln'  iu;i|'/rily  uf  linli- 
\  ii1i!,i;..H  1  '      u   «■'«      /'. ''.i«*tii    il  vs  ;i<'l  bin  (,»'»)  du  wifh  /'  iirU'HtalU    lK<i,  i:-.:i]fi.icin  utiln  liAl'"H.s.\>. 

'I'hv       -.li    :..i*  .H.M    blr<)     .,ilil     'I    'l   t.f'j!"'!     ' 'i'    rf- r<t  tl-    :  knV     Klll'<H>+"i  V     i'Till    il:<   «  ill   bi    M  n  Km'nI  ooil 


(  i'-r,i!-   I.,    -r.  tbc  :iiiif;<:iii'  'i''  it  •■  ''tril 
•  I'l  ai.'it  ij  ('•iji»ii!««.  luii/ilii'ifti 


ir<i.>.  i.iu  toii'i'viiij'  ■,<Mji}i.ir!'- ••_    »-\i\'-'ii  \  ■■  ,  '  ri'     ■vi  '■ 

sl'lvljlilK    A<-;Ulri.l\    '.'I     .>  »'     »^     Tt.'vy 

777  ill  >!i<-  I'liil    .A':  id.  N:»t     -•■•  ,  .tnd  >»(»■».•  t-ru^w     •    '      -'Jk.. 

'I'lu    Hi;i!"-  Ot    /*.  I  ■■i>,l,till(K  '1  I;MM.  i--  •  '|»c.  .    1,.»    lll  <':  ,1.  .  U',  jiI.    f.  •  ,1i  llt-  .lllclli"  uf  /'".  eumftno   ;m;|' 

.-^iiiMii  ^'I)l cii-.-i  i<y  ii'f  Ki'iy  I'l'tije  liiuk  bvui<  iijM  ji'.ii' ,  •<  M  iiirf  .--"  ■  >^tI^  iiii^'<*d  n'itli  n»-<i!H'i! ;  id.-u 
!i\  the  bUnk  <ii|»  fxi'-iidiiig  b-s.-i  budii'i  |H»sf(  liorly,  'l'!u  i  dor  n  tb<'  !iui".i'i  imd  <  lioi-ks  is  piiri'i 
.Uid  III' no  ^''''''y  ii'>-<'i<"d,  wiiii;'  tln'  bleiist  nlii;  IvniHiliilli;  nndi-r  iMisdn-  sfrini:;l\  sliiidcd  \villi 
gr<i\.  'Iht  1<'*1  i'ol(irOxt«'!uU  to  thr.  cns-nni  \v;i)iii(i|  bi-i'iiniii/  li-^s  i  iiri.-c.  Thu  tips  in' tin' ;;ri'aici 
coxeits  are  ]'tiri'  t;r.i\ ,  iiol  wbiti'  oi'  whitisii.  ')  la'  inncininsit  ttsrti.il  ii.is  iiori^d  spot  Me  isiuenii'iil." 
of  tin'  11. lie.  givi'-.  I'ldnu'ii,  ,10;   'Viiiy;,  '(  Mu :  tad  li'.i'.ls.iS,  J.JO;  i.ir:i.i.<.  X\\  iindi. 

Tln^  l'i'in*ii('  'if  ,,ri,ntitl!n  is  distuiiim^biddi^  !Viiiii  il.i'  I'  inii't  turojiivi  in  tin'  .-:iiiie  iik.jiih.'I  .is  tin- 
ni."li'  lis  ibf  (^I'dv  tijis  iir  the  ;ii':i!i  '■  i^in^'  i')\  cil.s  \,vA  s\;,!iii;ii;  Uh'  led  i<piii.  on  tin  inin"  ti'iti.ti. 
i  111-  l';ii;K  ,s  tiioi''  tin;;!'!  •lb  'i  .vk,  riidj.i  niitl  m-  li'  ii-l'lM.  Ilniii  in  .•ny  i>i  tlu>  It/  ;'  '  i  .'<  >  ol 
■  «,-,  u.yti  ti'iw  iu'lori'  nil',  i'l  *!.!•  ...  i>.  nj*-  n;  j>r;iy  in  i'ary.  ■  .  nmr.-  ■.ilfOii.'i,  thi'  ca|i  .-(.n..  «  n  »t 
■[(■■iiM-.  ■  111' iiiii ''nd.ii-i,  (diiii.  >iii  .  V*  '■  .  •■  -Misii-ji  .-;!  1.  ".Kin^  |.ic  -  bi<!)!  iij  tin-  ni'ilc  ,iii' 
iii^r*'-  '■'    '. .      "•!'  I-,'': '.  nn-ui  i  if  111,   .   •"    ■  -  •„,  '  ..    . -■•i'.    -T  .    ■mi.:     ■">'•,   :•<     '    ii''<t>   J  (■;      '-on. 

:<»    'l:     .' 


t;r   :-\  noil./'.t. 


Ji    i  '    L^il.'^MlW    •Vlll,  (Mil  .-I  <t<'    Il 


v>  I  ill  loll.r.' 


l-s.;!  — i'\irihi<'i>  riii,!,  ,!i,.  ('ji;!.  /ii(.|;r.  I{nh.»<)    .■•.•.<•'.,  il,  p.  7  i  i    !  :*'';ii    , 

!,^ij<i — V'jriliuht  vocrinw  \\n.  c  isxiini  i'.nird.  fiiin-.   rh;<:.    Vend.,  i    l.Mi"    p.  .'ilii. 

ISTI. —  I '>/)■)■ /ill ill  (,7Mvi)i/.  !  iisti.,  li'i.s,  iSTi,  p.  'S.W. 

ls':i.~- Pjii  ihiii-i  (■//.i</«i'''<>,  Cnii.,  .Wii;r.  |iii  Omiili.,  !.>7:j,  p.  dn. 

rii;ni.'s       I)    ii-.u'iiniis  (  .li-.i     .V.aii.,  I.  ..M,!),  PI.  XXIX;  <'ivb. -buir   l    <»rii..  l.STi.l'l.  I.' 

\^  iiilc  ill  -\'.:  ■»  ■   1   iiM',     -I ii'fiuou-i  endeavors  lo  oblaii    sp.i'innii-   -it   J',  rnnnjn!  Haiiil.  Init 

taii'd  u>  pnx'.mv  ;i  •  o       Jli,        •  ■fiimi  til   tin   lil.iliolndii!'  ot'   .  :  •  -(""'itf  ol'.'l  icd  lu  tnii.\ ,  liouevir 

be  lonsidrM'd  i..s  ;,.■)    t.«i.   if}  '        '.   .StcjiH-jU'r,  xilii-f    lie  -.vrnt"  "'le  .I'-ri  .  Ii.ia  h.ld  the  oppoitnnil.\  r. 

eon.]. in  ill.:.'  Hni'M  »■  : ',!■■•  ■■'.    i  -•,♦(»'.  *»irii  an  h'«1ou:i!< d   <pe.  ui,-  .»  nt   •  .(/,(((.'(;,   ind  11 'ids  i.i.i  ..|.:n!, 

-   i;  inn  til  Hi   eoiioi  ; . 

:-2f.   L 'XtA  oriiViBOfiji;    .M.'fili  .'15i<i<  ii;.     Aintr.  uti  (  I'liKbill. 
'    ..id  the  good  fortiui«»  to  ol'i  •   >i«'<lMin     1   die  Americnn  i  ir.-.-diili  ;U  S.r.i'  '^f  .•*  m**;/,    ^ 

.»t  4,  1875.     It  «'as  ..-diciii  MM  •   'in.uii.     )  ftsw  of 'be  hih,    l^M,  b.i' k  oi  Pi-  ;i«-..  •.< 

M-'>*Mit!J'teni.s  ot  (111.  fn'sli  «ire'%^    .    -v   <•.<  a,s  (t-il.ovv.-. :  ""..V.")  ii\  1 1>  iiy  {.'-'•")  bj  :.'      h- .>    'i.t 
au       .t^iSwvkv,  nu.'..',  ^linlt. 

■  ••'  .^  <';.»i*on'l,i'  r.tn   in  ilii.s  I.h  :i«,j?»  a*i  ;- ■   -   ''^Mm-s  <o  s\  ho.n  I  sluisw.d  it  d' •    m..    't  !■> 
}»••    s     ,-     ■  Hvjr  tfati  iin<i  ever  .--i-.en. 

'. V  :.  '■;.■'  e.?  wH.s  nut  obtaint-d  by  NU'S«.Pa  :  •;  i'  .iiul  J'o^iiisar  in  Ihe  Vnkpo  'l'eiri>.>' 
Ihi?    •  '■    ill!  V  individiod  over  nbtuiin'i;     '•'•bid  ,-=  ,  s.  .-,  ni-arly  (iOO  nii!e.s  I'm:".''.-      .i.  d     )■.■ 
rtttiiU  jV'iei.  -^'  ■ 


m  W^Vf  'T"llH'^i'«W'    ■  -■  ■  •  f^if-»|i|M 


PLATE  VII, 


LOXIA  LEUCOPTERA     (Gmel.)    First  Plumage. 
PYRRHULA  CASSINI     (Baird  ).  Adult  Female. 


>LlS   l"M>  UBflTT  "RiNr.ti^  Ct  N  r 


> 


M 
O 

< 

X 
D 
J 

Ok 

o 
z 


oq 

J 

D 
o 


H 

a 

z 
< 

pq 


X 
o 

2 

U 
w 

I— t 

Pi 
O 

H 
O 

h 

O 
O 

D 
U 


I.', 


1  til  . 


COMHIIH  T\o\s   in  I'M!    VATrPvr.  MIST<H;Y  (»!•   AIaSKa. 


171 


.".JJ    I,(i\n   I  Ki  '  Mfii  ,i.<   i.'iifl.      W'Int,  V  in;/:'!  ('iitii»l>ill.     (Sof  IM.il<.-  V 1 1  ; 

r>;.  NVIii»evi'i(ii;i<l  (.•ii«.s'<1i'il  idul^uiKlittif  m  ilir  iiitt  lu.ni)  Mn'  Yukon  liinlr'i  I  .iml  iiiln  r  w.h  tv.l 
|iiriN,  It  i»ccii«ti(iiiiill\  viiiis  tJ  0  in  iulibi»rliiK»«l  «f  Sitiiit  MicliuofH,  llioit^jli  not  i'l  iiumlM'i^,  ur.  <'til'. 
Ill  i«<llviiliial.-ii-  V  \>ry  miii;iII  H.-oI.  mn.V  be  M.'i>i»  JUMitrliiR  •»■  •"»"•  "  ""''•  '"■♦"  't"  tl""i>fl'  it  viiJ^'ii 
i  («liiili(i'  fil,u'<'  ;tii<l  ii»i\i'iu*  to  u'  I  i»«u.v,  tor  jl  wtin  \ny  isliy. 

Miv«iif<"iM  iir»  i)r  II  rr«'«h  s|M'riim'ii  Dhtinni'd  hum  NuliU"  w**!*' »«  ii-Uowi'  N' i  .'KJ,  .'i,.'>  '  II 
li;.  ,'     -   '•     tiiK,  bill,  ffct,  .iii'l  fiinvfi  Mill  k.     Dufinl  Mim li  >■'•.  l«7r.. 

i.f.i  ro.«ri'Ti-  fKi^ritM  riu  (Hininlii.     .\f'-viiiit,  fmiC'liitf.     [>'>■>■,  I'la...'  Vlfl.| 
'  it  1  (HM-ci#>'  i»  (i.jurniiii  I'll  nil  Hik  AUnti.'in   l->!iiiiiU,  lu.'jiuliii;;  IIm'   I'liliNlol'  <!r(»np,  4S«iiii.ikl. 
•ibiinl  Hi  }{ctl»i»' -!  > ,  I'nRit  IhIiiIiiI,  nuii  wii-'  nl  o  »ili-.i  vImI  nt  Kmllali  Islinnl. 
At  Attn  I  «►!".(  Ml.  I»lrii  u'M-ii,v>  rntli<i  "(.luin^jis  n-.n  Cliicliityint'  Hui  Ixiv,  Iml  towjmltli"  «''.-i,  i" 
r  111   .  t  till  iwJi.iHl  .:  is  moil'  , 1 1. mill. Ill  I,     Af  lUhil.  -I'l.  ■i.iii  tin  iioijiliiiuriKMHl  of  Jliiilink  mU  dm,  ilu 

hn<1  i*.  ulsv  ,1.1  oMi'u  ,1,     A  (  lilt'  villiij/i'  oil  tlic  iiiiio.n  oi  S  i/;iii  i  \tkliti  Islaiull  tlu'  Ln-I  '■'  :  I'i'lv 

Hrtii.  tli.niK'i  111  u  ili.-iMiiri.  1,1   ;i  li'**  'all.  rt  tiniii   filloT  ..!"  tiKv.i    ]'l;K;l*«  JUKl  iiUMiM.'iit  .1  lli.    '.•id   . 

,1,,....    IMIOIlyil.        At    III'     \lll.l-.S  olS'lllt    PiHll':t    Irtl  Ml.l     Mill    1  llilt   uf  aUlIll  OtflV  (,.•    f.-llllll    till'    ..III 

<-   ilivii.ldM  111  lli<i  Ml.  .'iilU-il  n»i«»'t!'.     I  liiivr  .•omii.'i!    iH  iiiiiir,  /k  tw»'ni,\  iio'"  liii  .1.-    i.n.ii'.       .1. 
•   ,...*. I, ^  .<•  .'*.'ini  »,'..■.  II  jii'is  I'.l'.'ii'l;  ill.. I  ♦o'lii-  .it  1;.  Ill  «iiliiii  u'Wici'i  >.f  n.'M-i.ii  j'li  'rii^t.     I',,.  • 
.,1  1    .,,.iill.  .,s    .1  tlic  i.|c.*Clli««.  (iC  h    .1';   \*lu!i-  .1;  fli'i-  :.|i.r<K  Ihm   'vci'/  s-i.l.im  -■>   1    ...  I  >•■  •    .• 

•  ■,  •,111,    l-.MJ   l''i;lll    M  'U'll  ,lli|il.'|li;!l''ll. 

;•'  .         .'     t.  I   I     I,   .  I".!!.  !  .^u'.^  •■>■'*>  tl->'-h  'o*   '■■f*    iu'f.     'l'i»<.>    'O   <*■•'<■  1  ■   •■ 

,1,..      ,,  ,.  ■.      ,  "..<  ■)'    '  .■•  .     -o   .     1  v-' «  •  ■    •■">-■.'      V    '-    ,     ••        ^-'l'..'    '■■ 

•,.         I,;,      ,.     ..     >       ^  : :,  I  '^       .r      »-/l-    !•    ^        }    '  r      •  ■       ••■-■*  '         '   '•      "      '•     '..■>'!    I 

■.  .Vi,  ^     ,i   ..J    ,      ,■■   .('itf  !    :      ■        ,.    .-I.-V  •  1  :•      «     ..I  ■•    •  '".    ,  "'*     •    •*»•,**  ♦•    •:/  ■      .  .     .  ..in        ■;..•..  '    ■  .Mi,. 

i.'   11  1)1  111!',  Hi  .'N.    it>    1  •-;!  •!        •.'"l;.- 

A  tn.xf  \va'.  ohrmtjcil  I,   i!<   >ivki  :><!-•.. 1.  "i-",'    ■>  ■»  '  ^-t  i.'i»  ;','     -^Ui'  "f    1   i''-!-   '■''•'^       •     •' 
A..".jH>!<i.>»J  C'l  hiKfill  |infts  "I    «  ;,li.»iiMM|.  n.' ilk.-,  i-ou>«  KHMW  at'-i.  s,  u  .'.  !u...-r  I'iii.l    •  .1:        ■    -v. 
.'••:■     Uii-  liiii;)>.'      'I'lie  iii'.f   i.s   not  «'lul«irai<',  llif  'iHi.'iial  b»*iD«  -.ii'icv.  Ii.u   -an-lrs  ^!.\      iin-.i' 
.  .••,.■  .s  .luftiiiii' .  thfi  wliiti-  l■};^s  uri;  l.ii<l  m  ll.»     ai'v  i-art  of  .Iii'ii'.    'J'n   ...... iin;  mi"  ...It   i.    ii\ 

..V  flu,  lir.-l  '.I'  Aii;:u   t. 

I  iM'Lcvt'  iliiit  li'il  Old  lii'ooil  ...  itareil  'n  .'  si  .is. .11.  In  (liiihitlit  \>.'r\  "l  A'lyii-si ,  n.l  l.i-ii,,,  '^.  •. 
I  'Ti- Mi.ail  iio.-l-,  iiiiiiil.' iii't;  iiivi'i  until  il  111  (i^^'iit  or  tun,  h'lv.  '(.1.  iii'i.!."  i.  .i-  ..:.  li'; 
<  !•  1.  .1  1(1  .(..".-iiU  '  Uii -.  .■ii)i.-i..iiii'i!.«j<  rli.' ii.ticnt  binl- Willi  tlif  l.i""i-    M">    ;,  ,i-f!i    1  '•      "' 

i,:;,!'ai-l  1     «-.;i-M  :■..«»<  Iiir.l',  H'-ii.i.alf.  so  lliat  ilur;;.^  "''<•  "''*'''^  •  "■■■ '"•»'■    ' '    "    ' 

I     ,•  j.!r  'I ->  V. .  i;-  ii;.-aii.  to  n8;<cinM<' ill  >iTi«n  Ort.'i<K  of  II..      1  ■.»   .'.■i     >"•  •  :i  ..     ..  •<  . 

, ;,  i  !■  I -»". '•"   .  ■'  i  •    (  iu.  hiii,' svjiMiii  Ht-j»aiate«  tin-til. 

lu       ',    •  ■•  ■    •<      ti  wLiu«<r !»« H<tH-,l>  Jt?»j».U»««t  r.!' .1  -<•  ii>  •'.'■•■  ■    •.       '    •   "'    ' 

.  .    .;,:i<    r»  1  ,  ..  ..    ,.■■•■    Ubi  »>•  •  f'.«i  l^1lit<>  ^^     ■•....■.!,-  ,1.   ..•■•    ■    ■:•'.;    .-  ;•■...  *•  .; 

.,..,     ,  „.      ,.;.    •.,.,,..,  ;',.N  -vv.?!.  JtmJVP-  .•  .,.;•      .         .•  ...ri. ...:.:   :i..     u.ill'..      i   M  :• 

,..      ',,      ,,    .,       ...  ,.  I      ,>.;il   M'  .<ir  '-'ii-iHi.*  t  ■   =1.1     '.;...,    i.r    i!.'     A.l.>^'.■:    r>:i,i  ..-ill-;    i..lin'',     '. 

y-",!,     s  II..U'  I    ■A^.^M  KM.. lii  .-<('.■  'ii'.-i.     lli'^irii   /.'".(..// 

I..     lio>.|\    h'-.C.:     .■    .1     .•   ..I!l,"f    l.lllJ    HirOilV'il'lIlt    llui  I'lllilvT    -.MMlVN    .li'  •>  lil:.k-.         '].|.    1  lll..i'(  I 

«■  .  ,      ..i'i»i  liM-,i!,n  •  ■  '    i  h.  ill. Ill  ;i'.''    I!  wiiiici  or    iininii-r. 


I  ;.,)   t^   111"   lv.-.<  i   M        .     •  ..    j'ill  is  Ol    (III-  I  >  .!.'<(:.,  Wln-n'  ll..H.    IS  :.''l      rf.i   1.'  I.  ll!\    ... 


..  . •■  (.»  111.-  ml.'  1      . 
h«;i'-:  .ii'.iiii  t..>>  it  '\y  :l  I. 


1. 1  1:1    A  'li!o.'.  'Ii,. 

!ii(i-.  and  oiil.s  .ti'illg  Itn- cuii^'   '•  :'   lUi'itfi'l     1,.  ;_!mI.^'.\'.     Im    In- 
n  .■>iili-!ir.. 
.»,-<  .Ills  ,1..  Mil,'  I.  fi  I'-ii  i.'iiMi.iT.j  visit  ."i.ui't  Mifiiatl'^.  n'M.:!!n;i  .'..  iiiv  '>\r-i  <  s,  ".mhiI  -^liilU-s  ami 
.ifiinit.'.'l   u\-.i.*  ol"  L"''in  <i  . 

'\\:.^  ...id'cil^H  hit  >•  !s    i'  .'^allll    Mi.'illU'l'fl. 

Tl.p  KAkiaiti  ti..ii.f      •!.:■>  Mim  is  Okffl.  tii  <)<•'•■.  01  dwclhi  jMnna  tin*  tn:  u,j,'<,  .o-.udi-r  patc'.H'M. 


.^rw->y;-^<T<nT*^l|:<|«^PWTi-<;rT;«r<V*'7-"''*<-','^'V*^«'T'<'^'^*J'**''-  VT;-'^'     —-^'W  JI- ip/JWrW^-f  H|^|H(||III      ipi  JUI 


h 

<: 

-J 


w,-.. 


■:f*« : 


'■     'A, 


"^V,  is'vjwif  4■■■^i:■(' 


m.^ 
I^ 

i' 


f'-Jg 


f^^    , 


u 
o 

>: 


< 


H 

a: 


5 


r- 
O 

CO 

O 
u 

w 
.J 


f 


OONTIUBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HfSTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


.171 


522.  LoxiA  i.ijUooi'TERA  Ciiiiel.     Wlutvwingcd  Crossbill.    [See  Pinto  VIL] 
Tlio  White- wiiifjfd  Crossbill  is  abundant  in  tli(>  interior  of  the  Yukon  distriet  and  other  wooded 

parts.    It  oceasionally  visits  the  neif^hborhood  of  Saint  Michael's,  tnouf^li  not  in  numbers,  jvt  only 

an  individual,  or  a  very  snnill  (lock,  nuiy  be  seen  in  sjiring  or  fall.    It  thtM  acts  as  thonjjfh  it  was  iu 

a  strangle  place  and  anxions  to  get  away,  for  it  was  very  shy. 

Measurements  of  a  fresh  specimen  obtained  from  Knlato  were  as  follows:  No.  213,  6.5  by  11 

by  3  by  2.(i ;  iris,  bill,  feet,  and  claws  black.     Dated  March  lo,  187'>. 


Leucosi'ictf  GiusKONT'OUA  (Rraiidt).    Aleutian  LevcosHvte.    [See  Plate  VllL] 

This  species  is  common  on  all  the  Aleutian  Islands,  inc^ludiuf;  the  Pribylof  Group,  Sannakh, 
main!  uid  at  Ik-Ikovsky,  Xlw^x  Ishnid,  and  was  also  observed  at  Kadiak  Island. 

Ai  Attn  Island  the  bird  occurs  rather  sparii.yly  near  (Jhichanof  Harbor,  but  toward  the  western 
end  of  ihe  island  it  is  more  abundant.  At  Unalashka,  in  tlie  nei^ldMirhood  of  Iliuliuk  village,  the 
bird  is  also  not  often  seen.  At  the  village  on  the  harbor  of  Na/'ui  (Atkha  Island)  the  bird  is  rarely 
seen,  though  at  a  distance  of  a  few  miles  from  either  of  these  places  Just  mentioned  the  bird  is 
common  enough.  At  the  villages  of  .Saint  Paul's  Island  and  that  of  8aint  (Jeorge  Island  the  bird 
is  abundant  in  the  so-called  streets.  1  have  counted  as  many  as  twenty  individuals  around  one 
building  at  Saint  George's  Island;  and  some  of  lliem  within  few  feet  of  several  persons.  They 
seemed  regardless  of  the  ju'esence  of  man;  while  at  other  places  they  were  seldom  seen  aiul  -.vere 
then  shy,  taling  long  llight  when  uppniaclu-tl. 

This  bird  |irefers  the  bold,  ragged  cl ills  along  the  sca-.diore.  Th(>y  are  constantly  iu  nnition, 
either  on  the  wing,  tlying  in  swee|iing,  long  curves,  sometimes  near  the  earth,  to  mount  thirty  or 
forty  feet  at  a  single  etVort,  alighting  on  some  projecting  ledge  of  a  blutt"  to  search  for  food,  and 
away  again  ^o  alight  for  a  moment  on  a  weed  BtaP...  Their  nest  is  built  on  a  small  protected  ledge 
of  a  bluft',  or  else  in  a  small  crevice. 

A  nest  was  obtained  by  me  from  a  small  "'eft  of  a  ro(!k  on  the  side  of  a  high  bluif.  It  was 
composed  of  small  i)i"ces  of  wildparsnij  stalks,  coar.io  grass  stems,  and  liner  blades  of  grass  to 
form  the  lining.  The  nest  is  not  elaborate,  the  material  being  somewhat  carelessly  arranged. 
Four  (sometimes  five)  white  eggs  are  laid  in  the  early  j»art  of  June.  The  young  are  able  to  Hy 
by  the  tirst  of  August. 

I  believe  that  but  one  brood  is  reared  iu  a  season.  In  thelatter  i)art  of  August,  and  during  Sep- 
tcnd)er  small  Hocks,  numbering  never  more  than  eight  or  ten,  have  been  fre(juen;ly  observed,  bat 
I  was  led  to  consider  these  com])aiiies  ns  the  i)arent  birds  with  the  bro(<l  of  young  Just  reared.  On 
the  api>roach  of  winter  these  birds  separa'e,  .,;>  that  during  the  winU-r  more  than  one  .it  a  time  is 
rarely  seen. 

In  April  they  seem  again  to  assendile  in  small  tlocks  of  not  mere  thai>  live  to  eight  iu  number 
and  leinain  so  until  the  mating  season  separates  them. 

The  nnnil)er  of  birds  seen  in  winter  is  niutjli  less  than  that  seen  in  summer;  hence  the  conclu- 
sion that  part  of  tlicni  migrate,  but  to  what  locality  is  yet  unknown,  as  their  habitat  is  lestricted 
to  Kadiak  on  the  east,  Atai  on  tlie  west,  the  Pribyldf  Islands  on  the  north,  and  the  southern  sides 
of  the  Aleutian  Islands  and  those  islands  to  the  south  of  the  Aliaska  Peninsula  forming  the 
southern  Itorder  of  their  habitiit. 

r)27f/.  AOANTIIIS  IIORNKJIANNII  KXIMI'KS  (Coucs).     Ilonrij  Redpoll. 

The  Hoary  l{e(li)oll  is  acommon  bird  throughout  the  entire  Territory  of  Alaska.  The  number 
at  any  given  loc-ality  scarcely  changes  in  winter  or  summer. 

Along  the  less  protected  jiarts  of  Ihe  coasts,  where  food  is  not  so  readily  found  in  winter,  the 
birds  go  to  the  interior  lor  a  time,  and  only  along  the  coast  is  it  iinperl'ecstly  migratory.  In  the 
wooded  districts  it  is  a  permanent  resident. 

Asearlyas  March  great  numbers  visit  Saint  Michael's,  restirting  to  the  bushes,  weed  stalks,  and 
denuded  areas  of  ground. 

This  sjiecies  breeds  at  Saint  Michael's. 

The  Eskimo  uame  of  this  bird  is  Okfek  tit  yal;  or  dweller  among  tlm  Ok  fig  at,  or  alder  jiatches. 


.i-"        "fr 


172 


CONTlllliU'ilONS  TO  THE  MATUHAL  HlSTOliY  OF  ALASiJlA. 


528.  AcANTHis  i.iNARU  (Liiiii.).    ReilpoU. 

The  coininoii  lledpoll  is  a  resident  of  all  jyaits  of  Alaslia  ext'i'ptiiijj;  tlic  Akuiliaii  Cliaiii.  At 
tlio  latter  iilace  (Aleutian  oliain  proitf^i)  this  si)ec,ies  is  a  HUinnier  visitor  t>iil,v,  tlionfih  breeding 
hero.  It  makes  its  appearance  in  Ai)ril  and  remains  until  the  latter  part  of  October.  It  was  never 
observed  west  of  Unalasliki'  Island. 

In  the  Ynkon  district  it  is  one  of  the  commonest  birds  to  bo  met  with.  It  breeds  wherever 
found  in  the  summer. 

The  ir.ale  birds  'vith  their  brillii'nt  rosy  breasts  and  crown,  their  cheerful  twitter  makes  them 
a  general  favorite. 

The  rosiue&s  is  not  Inlly  developed  until  after  the  second  year.  The  young  birds  resemble  the 
females  of  tlie  second  or  third  year,  though  old  females  also  have  a  faint  rosy  tiuge  on  the  brea*'. 

Their  .sociability  was  so  developed  that  they  would  sit  on  the  windvane,  placed  on  a  high  start 
and  turn  round  with  the  vane  as  the  wind  veered  or  backed.  The  yards  often  contained  a  hundred 
at  a  time.    They  were  quite  fearless  and  only  took  uight  for  a  few  feet. 

The  nest  and  eggs  were  not  obtained.  The  natives  assert  that  it  breeds  at  Saint  Michael's, 
amontj  the  bunches  of  weeds  and  grasses. 

The  Eskimo  call  this  species  by  the  same  name  as  the  Iloary  lledpoll.  The  nati  es  iccsog- 
nlzc  r.o  specific  differences  betwecii  the  two. 

My  own  observation  tends  to  the  same  belief.  They  are  so  intimately  associated  that  only 
the  most  rigid  comparisons  separate  them  in  even  a  slight  degree. 


534.  Plectkopuknax  nivalis  (Linn).    SiioicJIalc 

This  pleasant  and  familiar  little  bird  may  be  seen  at  Saint  Michael's,  or  in  its  vicinity,  at  any 
season  of  the  year,  excepting  during  the  protracted  periods  of  coldest  weather  in  midwinter.  It 
is  very  abundant  in  the  spring  months  of  May  and  June.  In  April  it  i';  usually  found  in  large 
flocks  on  the  low  ground  near  the  Canal.  As  the  snow  is  melted  oft"  of  the  higher  grounds  it 
repairs  there  to  procure  the  seeds  that  remain  from  the  last  year.  By  the  15th  of  May  the  birds 
begin  to  separate  iiito  pairs  and  seek  the  cliffs  and  blurt's,  on  the  sides  of  which  they  build  their 
nests  in  June.  The  nest  is  placed  on  some  small  jutting  point  from  the  clift",  or  sometimes  in  a 
chink  or  crevice.  I  have  seen  only  deserted  nests.  The  young  are  abli^  to  tly  by  the  1st  of  August, 
and  they,  with  their  parents,  remain  together  until  October,  when  they  assemble  into  larger  fio(!ks, 
sometimes  of  hundreds  in  number. 

The  Snowdake  is  irregularly  migratory  from  the  coast  to  the  interior  in  tiie  higher  latitudes,  and 
are  permanent  residents  of  the  Yukon  District. 

i  observed  this  bird  at  Nushagak  on  Bristol  Bay  in  June,  1878,  under  such  circuuistances 
that  led  me  to  conclude  it  was  breeding. 

At  Uualashka  Island  the  Snowrtake  was  s^^en  on  the  eastern  .  ud  of  the  jsland  only  in  Ai)ril 
and  May  and  never  during  the  suunner  months.  While  at  Chernovsky  (village)  I  saw  this  bird 
abundant  in  the  mi'ldle  of  June,  1880.     At  Akutan  Island  I  have  seen  ir  in  July  and  Septend)er. 

Among  tht  western  islands  of  the  Aleutian  Chain  the  Snowtlake  is  a  pernianent  resident, 
breeding  there  in  great  abundance  at  Atkha  and  Amchitka.  At  Attn  Islaiul  tlie  bird  is  plentiful 
at  all  seasons,  and  in  the  hardest  woatlier  m.iy  be  seen  on  the  gravelly  beach  eagerly  searching 
for  food.  They  breed  here  in  numbers.  The  note  of  the  male  during  the  Itreeding  season  is  a  clear 
whistle  prolonged  through  several  notes  and  cadences.     Its  note  can  be  heard  a  great  distance. 

The  female  utters  on.y  a  chirp,  which  is  '.ilso  the  note  of  the  male  at  other  than  the  breeding 
season. 

Among  the  Aleutian  Islands  the  summer  pimiiagc  is  assumed  "u  the  early  part  of  May,  and  in 
the  latter  part  of  May  at  Saint  Michael's. 

I  observed  this  bird  at  Belkovsky  in  July,  1881,  and  at  Kadiak  in  the  early  part  of  August, 
1881.     At  the  latter  place  young  i)irds  of  the  seaso7i  were  abundant. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  A  m6u  6  thllo  ttk,  and  refers  to  the  white  plumage  contrasted 
with  the  black. 


■  i 


9 

I 


f 

I 

i 

4 


^^■ripsf 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


173 


I 


1 


536.  Calcarius  lapponicus  (Linn.).    Lapland  Longspxir, 

Thp  Lapland  Longspur  arrives  at  Saint  Midiael's  fioni  the  f)tli  to  the  15th  of  May.  A  few  ar- 
rive at  first,  and  before  a  inoutli  elapses  it  is  the  most  abundant  land  bird  seen  in  that  locality.  They 
frequent  the  lower  grounds  on  their  arrival  and  retire  to  the  higher  levels  as  soon  as  the  snow  if 
sufflciently  melted.  They  have  but  little  fear  of  man,  and  scarcely  hop  more  than  a  few  feet  from 
the  path  even  when  they  have  but  just  come. 

The  mating  season  begins  soon  after  their  appearance.  The  pair  usnally  select  some  open  ^not 
that  may  be  only  a  foot  or  so  above  the  general  level  of  the  ground.  The  male  takes  possession  of 
the  highest  point  of  that  ground  and  reserves  it  for  himself  during  the  season  of  incubation.  The 
nest  is  usually  p'aced  in  a  tuft  of  grass  or  dry  moss.  It  is  composed  of  grass  and  lined  with 
feathers,  forming  a  snug  home.  The  number  of  eggs  is  four  or  five,  laid  by  the  lOtb  of  June.  The 
young  are  able  to  fly  by  the  25th  of  July.  A  second  brood  is  often  reared,  and  in  my  belief  it  is 
only  the  earliest  arrivals  that  rear  the  second  brood,  as  those  pairs  which  I  had  earliest  noticed  on 
the  nearer  selected  spots  of  ground  were  the  ones  that  certainly  had  hatched  two  broods. 

The  male  is  most  assiduous  in  his  attentions  during  incubation.  He  seeks  tho  highest  part  of 
the  ground,  and  dashes  into  the  air,  to  circle  round  and  round  the  nest  in  gradually  decreasing  spiral 
flight,  while  he  utters  a  trilling  note,  a  beautiful  sound,  then  alights  near  by  and  utters  a  chirping 
Un-eep  as  he  walks  o;"r  the  ground.  In  a  few  minutes  he  rei)eats  the  flight  and  song.  This  is 
continued  all  the  day,  usuu!'y  the  first  bird-song  heard  in  the  morning  and  the  last  at  night.  The 
last  part  of  September  sees  these  birds  preparing  for  departure.  They  are  gone  by  the  5th  oi 
October. 

The  Lapland  Longspur  Is  abundant  on  the  westernmost  of  the  Aleutian  Islands.  At  Attu  it  is 
very  f.bundant,  at  Amchitka  scarcely  less  so,  and  especially  abundant  at  Atkha.  I  have  nevoi 
■jbsrrved  it  at  Uualashka  at  any  season.  At  Belkovsky  it  was  seen  in  July,  1881,  and  at  Kadiak 
Island  it  was  abundant  in  August,  1881.    Among  these  were  manj  birds  reared  that  season. 

542.  Ammodramus  sandwichensis  (Gmel.).    Sandwich  Sparrow. 

This  little  Sparrow  is  one  of  the  earliest  arrivals  at  Unalashka,  usually  by  tho  lOtli  of  May. 

By  the  1st  of  June  they  become  quite  abundant.  TKey  frequent  the  grassy  bluff's  and  sandy 
tracts  along  the  beach. 

They  breed  in  June,  in  the  grass.  The  nest  and  eggs  were  not  obtained  oy  me,  though  several 
nests  were  shown  to  nie  and  asserted  to  belong  to  this  bird,  but  as  I  hau  no  positive  proof  Icould 
not  accei)t  them  as  such. 

The  young  are  able  to  fly  in  the  latter  part  of  July,  though  some  young,  that  were  just  fledged, 
V.  ere  seen  as  late  as  the  middle  of  August.    I  suspect  that  more  than  one  brood  is  reared  in  a  season. 

On  the  eastern  Aleutian  Islands  this  Sparrow  is  quite  common.  At  Unalashka  Island  many 
are  to  be  found  early  in  May. 

They  are  especially  abundant  on  the  low  portage  across  the  middle  of  Amakniik  Island,  lying 
in  the  northeast  part  of  Captain's  Harbor. 

At  Atkha  Island  I  saw  but  few  of  tiiese  birds  in  1S79,  and  none  fiir' '.ler  west  of  this  place 
until  I  visited  Attu  Island  in  1880  and  saw  a  few  of  these  birds.  Young  birds,  just  able  to  fly, 
indicated  they  had  been  reared  oti  the  island. 

5426.  AMMODRA^tu;:;  SANDn'iOHENF£S  ALAUDiNUS  (Bonap.).     Western  Savanna  Sparrow. 

The  habits  and  arrival  of  tiiis  species  ire  identical  with  that  of  A.  sandwichrnsis.  There  is 
nothing  except  in  coloration  to  du  tinguisK  them.  This  species  was  not  obtained  at  the  Aleutian 
Islands,  but  at  Saint  Michael's  is  ns  common  as  the  other  species. 

Upper  bill  dark ;  lower  jiule ;  feet  pale. 

555.  ZoNOTRlCHiA  INTERMEDIA  Kidgw.     Intermediate  Sparrow. 

This  sparrow  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  early  in  June.     It  is  quite  abundant  among  the  alder 

patches  on  all  parts  of  the  island  of  Saint  Michael's.     It  breeds  here,  as  yonng  birds  were  obtained 

in  the  first  week  of  August  in  fully  fledged  (!onditiou.    It  leaves  this  vicinity  in  the  latter  part  of 

August.    I  observed  this  bird  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kuskokvim  River  in  June,  1878,  and  during  tho 


J1' 


174 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


liitter  part  of  tho  sainc  inoiitli  at  Niisbajrak,  on  Bristol  Kay.  At  tlio  latter  place  it  was  very  abun- 
dant along  the  thickets  tliat  fringe  the  streams  of  the  low  grounds.  It  does  not  visit  the  Aleutian 
Islands.  The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bi.d  is  Cha  pang  akh  tu  U  a  gak,  and  signifies  the  small  Cha 
pting  uk;  or  rasserella  iliaca. 

557.  ZoNOTEirniA  fORONATA  (Pall.).  Goififn-crowned  Spanwr. 
A  pair  of  these  birds  were  shot  in  .Tnne,  187(>,  on  the  western  end  of  Whale  Island,  near  Saint 
Michael's.  They  frequent  the  edges  of  thitikets  of  alder  which  grow  on  the  sides  of  steep  hills 
or  hang  over  the  brows  of  cliffs.  They  are  also  f'oniiil  at  the  bases  of  high  difts  near  the  water's 
edge,  seeking  food  among  the  decaying  sea  weed  tlirown  ui)by  the  waves.  They  are  not  common  in 
this  vicinity,  as  these  two  wore  the  only  ones  obtained  at  this  place,  although  this  jiair  would  un- 
doubtedly have  bred  here.  In  the  interior  they  are  not  common,  as  I  obtained  only  one  sj)ecimcu 
from  Fort  \ukon,  and  none  were  seen  in  other  jtarts  of  the  country.  Several  individuals  of  this 
species  were  observed  near  th'  village  at  the  fishing  station  of  Karluk,  on  the  northwestern  shoul- 
der of  Kadiak,  in  the  early  part  of  August,  1S81. 

550ff.  Spizella  MO^"n(■OLA  ocnKACEA  Hrewst.     Kentern   Tree  Sparrow. 
The  Western  Tree  S])arrow  arrives  at  St.  Micliat      i  v  the  1st  of  June  and  reaiainsonly  two 
and  a  half  months.     It  breeds  in  the  alder  thickets  tlii>  e  small  lakes  on  the  low  gr.nuuK 

It  is  quite  common ;  and,  in  the  breeding  season  the  nnile  ha.  utiful  twittering  song.    I  observed 

this  Sparrow  at  Nushagak,  Hristol  Ray,  in  .lune,  ISVS.  In  tuc  interior  it  is  (]uite  al)undan;.  At 
Fort  Yukon  and  Nulato  it  is  especially  so.    The  Eskimo  name  of  the  Tree  Sparrow  is  Miit  chdk  I'lk, 

500.  Spizella  socialis  (Wils.).     Chipping  Sparrow. 
Several  specimens  of  this  S])arrow  were  obtaine<l  from  Fort  Yukon  in  June,  1876.     It  is  not 
found  on  the  coast  in  the  vicini'y  of  Saint  Jlichael's,  nor  was  it  observed  at  Nushagak  in  June, 
1878.    It  does  not  occur  on  any  nf  the  Aleutian  Islands,  to  my  knowledge. 

567.  J  UNCO  UYEMAi.is  (Linn.).     SlafccoloredJunco. 
The  Slate-colored  Tunco  is  rarely  common  at  S«int  Michael's.     It  is  to  bo  seen  only  in  May  or 
November.     In   Ike  inteiior  it  i.<  (juite  ('(iiiiiiKin.  breeding  at  Foit  Yukon  and  Nnhito.     T  do  not 
believe  that  it  breeds  anywhere  along  the  const  of  the  Yukon  district.     It  is  not  a  resident  of  the 
district,  and  has  not  been  yet  detected  on  Aliaska  nor  on  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

5(i7rt.   JUNCO  HYEMALIS  OREGONVS.      (ToWllS.).      O.rgOll  JuilCO. 

A  single  si)eeimen  (female)  of  tlieOregon  Snow  bird  was  obtained  at  Unalashka  Island,  April  8, 
1870.  The  bird  was  shot  by  a  native  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  back  of  llinliuk  village.  It  is  ex- 
tremely rare,  as  the  native  asserted  it  to  be  the  first  time  he  or  his  companions  had  seen  such  a 
bird.  It  was  undoubtedly  a  straggler,  from  the  mainland,  and  blown  to  this  place  by  the  extreuiely 
boisterous  weather  of  that  spring. 

I  have  not  observed  this  bird  anywhere  else  on  the  Aleutian  I.slands. 

Numerous  individuals  of  this  s]u'cies  were  seen  at  Karluk,  on  the  northwestern  shoulder  of 
Kadiak.  The  birds  were  quite  familiar,  bopping  about  the  village  and  among  the  stakes  which 
supported  the  stages  of  drying  fish. 

582.  Melospiza  ciNEREA  (Gniel.).    Aleutian  Song  Sparrow. 

The  Aleutian  Song  Sjiarrow  is  a  constant  resident  of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  the  peninsula  of 
Aliaska,  and  the  adjacent  islands  lying  on  the  south  side  as  far  eastward  as  Cook's  Inlet.  It  does 
not  occur  to  my  knowledge  on  the  north  side  of  the  iieninsula.  It  is  strictly  littoral  in  its  habits, 
never  going  tar  into  the  interior  of  an  island  or  the  mainland  of  the  peninsula.  It  jtrefers  the  vicinity 
of  clitfs  and  precipices  or  the  beach  covered  with  immense  bowlders.  During  the  breeding  season 
it  is  found  abundantly  on  the  low  swales  which  are  heavily  clothed  with  wild  rye. 

Mating  occurs  late  in  April,  and  incubation  about  the  first  week  in  May.  Young  birds,  able  to 
tiy  a  few  yards,  wwe  obtained  as  early  as  the  12th  of  May  and  as  late  as  the  middle  of  August. 


H 


7    <■ 


'I^'vm^mtwyT'' 


wpti'W."wiiffp(^jm,if  p.MW  '. 


i'Pi  •uu  ■^•f.i^pniu^jji^iw  ■ 


CONTEIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


175 


Two,  and  aometiiucs  three,  broods  are  reared  in  a  single  season.  Tlie  nest  is  placed  in  a  tussoek  of 
grass,  either  on  a  steep  hillside  or  on  a  ledge  of  some  clifl'.  A^ain  the  nest  is  occasionally  found  in 
the  low  places  near  the  water's  edge  of  some  small  cove.  There  is  great  <liversit.v  of  location 
sought  by  this  bird  iu'nesting  habits.  The  nest  is  well  bnilt  of  grass,  coarse  blades  for  the  foun- 
dation and  liner  onea  as  the  nest  approaches  completion.  The  inside  of  the  nest  is  lined  with 
leathers  of  various  birds. 

The  number  of  eggs  varies  from  four  to  six  ;  the  latter  numl)er  is  rare,  live  being  the  usual 
number. 

The  young  birds  are  fed  exclusively  on  insects  for  the  first  few  days.  The  old  birds  are  quite 
expert  in  seizing  insects  on  the  wings.  1  have  frecpiently  seen  them  dart  from  a  i)roniiiient  rock 
to  secure  a  i)assing  lepidopter.  The  large  gallinipper  is  a  choice  morsel  for  them,  and  these  birds 
may  frequently  be  seen  hopping,  along  the  paths  or  edges  of  grass  patches,  in  search  of  them  and 
other  insects. 

This  Sparrow  is  not  shy,  as  it  frequently  alights  on  the  window  sill  to  search  about  the  turf, 
piled  against  the  houses,  for  food. 

I  frequently  threw  out  pieces  of  bread  or  cracker  for  these  birds,  and  .soon  taught  them  to 
know  where  they  could  get  something  on  days  of  bad  weather;  and  those  days  come  with  suf- 
ficient frequency. 

The  housetop  was  a  favorite  place  for  them  to  alight  early  in  the  morning  to  sing.  One  bird 
delighted  to  sit  on  the  winilvan<',  while  a  gentle,  unsteady  wind  would  sv  iiig  him  round  and  back, 
evidently  to  his  great  delight,  as  lie  constantly  utti'red  liis  song,  wliicli  1  have  in  vain  tried  to  imi- 
tate, as  it  consisted  of  such  rapid  modulations  that  I  cdiild  never  catch  it.  They  will  at  times  sing 
l)art  of  their  song  and  stojt  short,  as  though  iiitcriu|ite(l,  look  around  for  a  few  seconds,  and  be- 
gin where  they  left  oil'.  The  song  is  usually  sung  in  answer  to  that  of  a  rival  nmle.  After  being 
repeated  many  times  one  or  the  other  of  the  males  is  certain  to  approach  the  other  and  again  re- 
peat his  song. 

The  males  are  as  a  general  thing  i)eaceable.  I  saw  two  males  which  were  a  long  time  in  set- 
tling some  variance  between  them.  They  began  early  in  March  to  alight  near  each  other  and 
remains  steadfastly,  within  two  or  three  feet  of  each  other,  each  waiting  a  movement  of  the  other 
which  would  be  immediately  taken  advantage  of.  Any  retreat  was  <!losely  followed  up,  and  the 
pursuer  was  frequently  brought  to  an  abrupt  stand  by  the  sudden  turning  of  the  one  pursued. 
When  either  of  them  took  tlight  the  other  immediately  attacked  liim  by  j'ccking  and  attem])ting  to 
catch  the  wing  feathers  in  his  claws  to  biing  hint  to  the  grountl.  Only  once  did  1  see  them  in 
close  combat,  and  as  they  soon  parted  without  apjiarcnt  damage,  and  again  that  same  day  re- 
newed the  chasing  on  the  ground,  1  concluded  they  did  not  have  a  very  serious  matter  between 
them.  This  warfare  between  these  birds  continued  into  early  May,  when  they,  being  absorbed  in 
their  household  duties,  lost  sight  of. 

During  the  severest  weather  these  birds  seek  shelter  under  a  projecting  bunch  of  grass  on  the 
base  of  a  blutV,  or  under  the  cave  of  the  house,  or  edge  of  the  thatch:  during  the  severest  gusts, 
of  wind  and  snow,  these  pleasing  birds  will  l)e  singing  their  song,  nuiuindfid  of  storms  or  cares. 

The  name  of  this  Sparrow  in  the  Attn  language  is  Vh'ik  rlu'  fiLh,  and  refers  to  its  note, 

A  careful  comparison  of  individuals  of  this  species  from  all  the  i)rincipal  islands  of  the  Aleu- 
tian chain  and  from  the  islands  south  of  Aliaska,  inchuling  Kadlak,  reveals  no  a[i]ireciable  differ, 
ences,  but  they  are  notably  dilVerently  celorcd,  and  avciage  slightly  larger  than  rujiiia  from  ('ook's 
Inlet,  the  mainland,  and  the  adjacent  islands  south  of  the  iidet. 

In  cinerea  the  upjier  surface  is  brown i.sh  plum  hesus,out<'r  surface  ( :f  wings  st)me what  more  brown, 
the  greater  coveits  slightly  rnfescent.  Interseapuhus  with  medial  broad  Imt  obsolete  streaks  of 
sepia  brown  ;  crown  and  ujiper  tail  coverts  with  more  sharply  defined  and  narrower  dusky  shaft- 
streaks.  IJeneath  giayishwhite,  much  obscuretl  by  brownish  phunbesus  laterally.  A  whitish, 
supraloral  space,  but  no  apjueciable  suiterciliarv  strii)e:  a  whitish  maxillary  stripe,  beneath  it  an 
irregular  one  of  dusky  sepui ;  inegular  streaks  of  dark  grizzly-sepia  on  breast  and  along  sides, 
blended  into  a  broad  crescent  across  the  Jugulum.  The  Icmale  has  more  grayish  white  on  the 
lower  parts,  especially  on  the  abdomen;  otherwise  there  is  no  exterior  differences  in  the  sexes. 
The  autumnal  plumage  is  little  darker,  but  similarly  tlistributed,  and  with  less  whitish  on  the 
lower  parts. 


.JW-— ^■—iw.-ti'xjt^r  ^' 


176 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


885,  Passeheli.a  iliaca  (Mt>rr.).    Fox  Sparrow. 

Tbe  Fox  Sparrow  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  by  the  8th  of  June.  Ihceds  here  in  the  thickets  of 
alder  round  the  edges  of  the  small  lakes.  It  is  not  abundant,  though  in  some  restricted  localities 
several  pairs  may  be  found  during  the  breeding  season.  The  nests  are  built  in  the  densest  parts 
of  the  thickets,  which  renders  them  extremely  diflicult  to  tind. 

A  male  bird  was  shot  in  the  edge  of  a  clump  of  bushes  on  the  17th  day  of  July,  and  in  its  bill 
were  over  a  dozen  gallinippers,  which  had  been  divested  of  their  wings.  They  were  intended  for 
food  of  very  young  birds  of  this  species.  In  the  interior,  and  especially  at  Fort  Yukon,  this 
Sparrow  is  quite  common. 

It  leaves  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's  in  the  latter  part  of  August. 

This  Sparrow  is  a  beautiful  songster.    The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  Vhapand  uk. 

613.  Chelidon  erythrooasteb  (Bodd.).    Barn  Stralloic. 

The  Barn  Swallow  arrives  at  Saint  Michael's  about  the  7th  of  June.  A  few  of  the  more  intrepid 
ones  may  arrive  some  few  days  earlier.  By  the  loth  of  the  month  as  many  as  forty  pairs  have  been 
counted  in  the  dusk  of  the  twilight,  which  is  light  enough  to  see  to  read  by  at  midnight  during 
this  season  of  the  year. 

The  earliest  arrivals  dart  into  the  usual  places  occupied  by  them  as  though  they  were  the  iden- 
tical birds  hatched  there  the  preceding  year.  On  their  arrival  they  are  loud  in  the  manifestations 
of  joy  for  the  termination  of  the  long  journey  lately  winged  to  the  distant  north. 

In  the  spring  of  1878  snow  squalls  and  frosty  weather  held  until  late  in  June.  The  poor  birds 
had  had  no  oi)portunity  to  recover  their  exhausted  condition,  resulting  from  their  long  flight  to  the 
north.  Many  of  them  succumbed  to  the  chilling  weather,  while  others,  benumbed  by  the  cold, 
permitted  themselves  to  be  handled  and  seemed  to  enjoy  the  warmth  given  out  by  the  hand,  as  they 
nestled  closely  between  them,  withiMit  evincing  any  fear. 

They  bi  ild  their  nests  on  the  beams  projecting  from  the  old  houses  and  under  the  eaves  of  the 
other  buildinfe3.  Niditication  begins  as  soon  as  the  sun  thaws  the  ground  siillicieiitly  to  allow  them 
to  obtain  the  mud  with  which  to  construct  their  nests.  After  that  the  yard  is  searched  for  feathers 
with  which  to  line  it.  At  this  season  of  the  year  many  game  birds  are  killed  for  food;  hence  the 
yard  has  various  kinds  of  feathers  in  abundance.  The  swallows  api)ear  to  delight  in  picking  up  a 
feather,  carrying  it  high  in  the  air,  and  drop  it  to  cat( '  it  again  as  it  tiutttrs  downward.  Oftentimes 
tw  r>r  more  swallcws  will  join  in  playing  with  a  large  feather,  from  the  breast  of  a  swan.  I 
na\  seen  one  swallow  chase  another,  wiiich  was  carrying  one  of  these  large  feathers,  snatch  it 
from  him,  and  only  to  be  followed  in  most  wonderful  aerial  evolutions  l)y  the  one  from  which  it  was 
taken.    This  sport  continues  for  an  hour  at  a  time. 

The  Russians  protected  this  bird  ;  hen<;e  it  seems  to  have  less  fear  of  man  in  that  region  than 
in  warmer  climes. 

My  win«low  was  favorably  situated  from  which  I  could  observe  these  birds  collect  mud,  for 
their  nests.  I  never  before  knew  how  it  was  done,  but  supposed  that  they  picked  the  mud  pellet 
up  between  their  beaks.  I  have  watched  them  lor  hours  at  a  time,  and  when  my  eyes  were  not 
to  exceed  four  feet  from  the  birds  at  work.  They  tlew  to  the  puddle  of  water  and  mud,  stepping 
over  the  ground  until  they  found  a  place  having  the  pro|)er  consistency,  would  look  up  at  me  as 
if  to  say  that  this  will  do.  The  neck  is  stretched  out  nearly  its  full  length  and  the  head  kept 
with  the  bill  at  a  right  angle  to  the  neck.  A  slight  pressing  of  the  beak  into  the  earth  and 
a  tugging  twist  of  the  body  gently  pulls  toward  the  bird  a  small  jjellet  of  mud.  Ihe  bird  then 
lowers  its  neck  to  the  ground  with  the  beak  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  pellet  (or  on  the  sule  next 
the  bird.)  The  beak  is  now  thrust  under  the  pellet  until  the  mass  of  mud  is  j)ushed  onto  the  top  of 
the  bill  and  rests  against  the  forehead.  This  i.^  the  manner  in  which  it  obtains  the  mud  and  is  in 
position  to  enable  the  bird  to  deposit  it.    The  mud  is  also  smeared  with  the  top  of  the  beak. 

The  Swallow  frequently  rears  two  broods  in  a  single  season.  The  tirst  brood  is  fully  Hedged 
and  on  the  wing  by  the  loth  of  July.  The  second  brood  is  ready  for  flight  by  the  li.'jth  of  August 
They  remain  around  the  Redoubt  until  September  10th  to  20th.  Previous  to  their  departuie  they 
assemble  on  the  buildings,  in  the  evenings  an«l  early  morn,  tilling  the  air  with  their  twitter.    The 


"'Tyrir;'!^-^^^  T*^^ 


■^  W*"' S*^^    T  ,»T'tr-"".'"^V,"r^C*i,f-.T— ,j^^^l>,''^;™^-»£;^-'j 


tf-mjtTr/rry; 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATU!{AL  IIISTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


177 


liite  yoiiiifj  iiii'  .soiuotiiiifs  not  reiuly  to  iiiHlertiikf  tlii'ir  Ion;;  Journey.  TLo  older  ones  }{i't''er 
roiinil  it  and  actually  pu.sli  it  from  the  buildint;  to  make  it  tly,  as  it  seems  to  tear  to  trust  iti>eU  to 
its  win^s. 

Tlieirarrival  in  spring  is  always  welcomed  by  the  |)eoi>le  who  live  iu  theUedoubt,  while  in  the 
fail  some  one  will  remark :  "  It  has  been  some  time  since  1  saw  a  swallow."  Each  person  fully  uii- 
derstooc'  the  thought  that  (jctuipied  the  other's  niintl  during'  the  momentary  silence  that  followed  the 
remark.     It  nu'ant  that  winter  was  near;  how  will  it  be,  and  what  shall  we  dof 

The  distribution  of  the  Ham  Swallow  in  Alaska  is  well  made  out.  It  is  a  rey;ular  visitor  to  all 
littoral  Alaska,  aud  as  far  along  the  northern  coast  as  Unalakhlit  in  latitude  05^  north,  while  in 
the  interior  it  is  found  all  along  the  immense  Yukon  Kiver.  Along  the  jieninsida  of  Aliaska  it  is 
sparingly  found.  It  ajipears  in  scanty  numbers  at  Iliuliuk  village,  on  Unalashka  Island.  It  breeds 
there.  During  the  spring  of  1879  not  one  was  seen  at  this  place,  neither  were  there  any  seen  dur- 
ing the  summer  or  fall.  It  was  an  excei)tionally  boisterous  year:  gale  after  gale  rapidly  succeed- 
ing the  other  possibly  deterred  the  usually  venturesome  bir<l  from  coming  there.  This  is  the  only 
species  of  swallow  found  on  any  of  the  Aleutian  Chain  proper,  and  is  not  known  west  of  the  islaud 
of        alashka. 

While  at  Atkha  Island  in  IfSTit,  and  at  Attn  h  '  sid  in  1880  and  1881,  I  made  special  impiiry  con- 
cerning this  bird,  and  only  those  persons  w',.  <■  visited  Unalashka  Island  and  saw  the  bird  there 
knew  of  its  existence.  The  absence  of  k.iowledg  i  of  this  bird  at  either  of  those  places  shows  coii. 
clusively  that  neither  it  nor  its  congenors  visit  those  places. 

At  Nushagak  (Bristol  Bay)  the  Barn  Swallow  is  found  in  considerable  numbers.  It  breeds 
there,  as  I  saw  their  nests  in  June,  1878. 

The  Hitumlo  UnalanhkemiK,  Gmelin,  is  certainly  not  referable  to  any  known  America  swallow. 

014.  Tachycineta  nicoLOR  (Vieill.).     Tree  Su  allow. 

On  several  occasions  I  observed  this  Swallow  Hitting  about  the  buildings  at  Saint  Michael's, 
during  the  months  of  August  and  early  Sei>tember.  The  lateness  of  the  season  led  me  to  conclude 
they  were  birds  having  reared  their  young  in  the  interior  i  ortions  of  the  country,  ami  were  now  on 
their  way  to  the  southward,  preferring,  through  some  frea  c  or  fancy,  to  return  by  the  coast  rather 
than  the  interior. 

At  the  trading  station  on  the  Nushagak  Kiver  I  saw  a  great  many,  certainly  a  dozen  pairs,  of 
these  birds  sw  iftly  scouring  the  edges  of  the  river  banks  and  upi»er  dry  lands  to  obtain  the  myriads 
of  insects  to  be  found  there. 

This  species  was  not  observed  in  any  other  i)ortion  of  the  country. 

(JIO.  Clivicola  RiPARiA  (Liuu.).     Bunk  Swallow. 

The  Bank  Swallows  were  but  occasional  visitors  lo  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Mid'ael's,  where  it  was 
observed  only  during  the  middle  of  the  summer  .season.  It  came  at  very  irregular  intervals  and 
remained  but  few  hours. 

They  were  quite  jdentiful  along  the  high  banks  of  the  lower  poition  of  the  Nushagak  Kiver  in 
the  latter  part  of  June,  1878.  They  were  intimately  associated  with  T.  hicolor  in  their  search  of 
foml.     I'nfortunately  1  was  unable  to  obtain  specimens  from  either  locality. 

618.  Ampelis  garrulus  (Linn.).    Bohemian  Waxwintj. 

This  binl  is  only  an  occasional  visitor  to  the  coast.  A  single  specimen  was  brought  to  uie  by 
a  native,  who  said  he  had  killed  it  near  UnAlakhlit,  oi>  Norton  Sound,  and  further  asserted  that  it 
is  rare  in  that  locality. 

Other  specimens  were  obtained  from  Niilato  aud  Fort  Yukon.  At  the  latter  place  it  is  not  at 
all  common. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  Anvik  on  tiie  Yukon  Kiver,  ami  at  Kolma':"''  Kedouht  on  the  Kus. 
kokvim  Kiver,  it  is  reported  to  be  common. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  Tik  e  che  u  wdl;  and  means  a  killer  of  small  birds.  The 
clotted  blood  of  it«  victims  may  be  seen  on  the  wings  of  the  Waxwiiig. 

S.  Mis.  155 23 


! 


178 


CONTRIHUTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


(Wl.     Lanius  noRKALis  (Vieill).    Northern  Shrike. 

T\u'  (Ticat  NortluMii  Slirikc  is  ftumd  tliioii^flumt  tlic  Yukon  district.  It  is  iinjHTtVctly  migra- 
tory as  periods  of  I'xcossivcj.v  cold  wciitlicr impel  it  toscck  food  in  wanner  localities.  It  is  a  resident, 
lu-eedin^  wherever  fonnd  in  thesummer.  It  rarely  visits  tlio  immediate  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael'H. 
On  one  occasion  an  individual  was  observed  sitting  cMi  one  of  the  lai(;e  warehouses  within  the 
Redoubt. 

Not  observed  elsewhere. 

040.     IIKLMINTHOPHILA  CELATA  (Say).     Orauge-crowned  Warbler, 
Two  of  these  Warblers  w  ere  shot  amonj;  the  weeds  snrroiindinfj;  the  Redoubt  of  Saint  Michael's. 
They  are  not  coninion  for  they  were  the  only  ones  ever  seen  at  the  place.     As  these  specimens  were 
the  only  ones  procured  by  nie  while  in  Alaska,  and  were  obtained  in  the  month  of  Seiitember,  I  am 
led  to  conclude  that  they  came  from  the  interior,  where  they  probably  may  have  bred. 

Oa'J.    Dendijoic'a  tKSTiva  (Gmel.).     Yellow   Warbler. 
Si)ecinieiis  oi  the  Summer  Yellow  Hird  were  obtained  from  several  localities.     It  is  common 
at  Fort  Yukon,  Nowikakit,  Nulato  ami  Mission  on  the  Yukon  River.    At  the  Yukon  Delta  it  is 
occasionally  fonnd.     It  rarely  visits  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Michael's  and  tlien  only  in  the  fall  while 
it  is  migratiuf,'. 

055.    J)EKUUOiOA  roRONATA  (Linn.).     Myrtle   Warbler. 

The  8i)ecimen8  of  the  Yellow  runij)  \Yarbler  collected  by  me  were  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon, 
where  they  breed. 

They  inhabit  only  the  wooded  iJortions  of  the  district. 

I  observed  this  Warbler  at  Nushagak,  Bristol  JJay,  in  June,  1878,  where  it  wa«  quite  abundant 
among  the  willow  thickets  on  the  banks  of  the  river. 

601.    Dendboioa  striata  (Forst.).    lilackpoll  Warbler. 

This  Warbler  was  obtained  only  from  Fort  Yukon  on  September  18,  1875,  and  again  from 
the  same  locality  on  May  28,  1877.    It  is  not  common  at  any  time  in  that  locality. 

Those  dates  must  nearly  represent  the  earliest  appearance  and  probable  latest  stay  in  that 
locality. 

675.    ScirRT'S  NOVEUORAOENSi.s  ((iiiiel.).     Water  Thrush. 

Several  s|»ecimens  of  this  Water  Thrush  were  obtained  at  Saint  Michael's  in  August,  1870.  I 
have  never  observed  it  in  that  vicinity  at  any  time  other  that  after  the  breeding  season. 

The  birds  were  quite  gentle,  and  frequented  the  paths  among  the  tall  grass,  searching  for 
worms  and  insects.  They  evidently  were  hatched  in  the  interior  and  visited  th;  coast  ou  their 
fall  migration.    After  the  25th  of  August  none  were  to  be  seen. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  Checking  (<fc,  derived  from  the  note  cheche-vhe. 

085.    Sylvanta  PUSiLLA  (Wils.).     Wilson^s  Warbler. 

A  single  specimen  of  the  Black-capped  Yellow  Warbler  was  brought  to  nui  by  a  native,  who 
said  he  had  shot  it  among  some  straggling  willows,  which  skirted  a  lake,  about  a  mile  distant  from 
the  Redoubt  of  Saint  Michael's. 

It  is  not  a  common  bird  in  that  vicinity,  occurring  only  in  the  fall  migration. 

Other  sjiecimens  were  obtaint '  from  Fort  Yukon  and  Nulato,  where  it  is  not  rare. 

The  bill  was  pale  horn-color  with  darker  tip;  legs  and  toes  pale;  claws  darker. 

[695.]  MoTACTLLA  ooiiiiARis  Swiuli.     Swinho^s  Wagtail.*     [See  Plate  XL] 
At  Attu  Island,  Alaska,  I  was  looking  out  of  my  window  on  the  morning  of  May  14,  1881, 


•Ah  the  Bpccimcn  was  not  H«cnreil  iiii  accuiati'  idciitiHcatioii  of  the  Hoeeies  (•aiiiiot  be  made.  It  may  have  been 
a  9  of  M.  Iiigeiix  (Kitll.  ni-c  Tcnini.),  wliicb  breedH  in  Kanitchatka,  for  (be  female  of  this  Hpei-ieH  ean  be  distingnishi'il 
Iroui  M.  oviilaiis  except  by  a  most  caiefnl  eonipuiison  of  specimens;  and  as  the  latter  luiH  been  taken  within  Lower 
California,  I  have  thonglit  it  preferable  to  record  my  observation  nniler  this  heading. 


■'^'■'•'^■^I'l  "  "    ^T*'^^'" 


r^fi'  »    «<i   |.ivi||ii«|  II  ijappHi 


i^^w  ir" 


'■% 


«^ 


^- 


\-t.,' 


V- 


N: 


^•-t 


'»^v 


1 


,./     ... 


■*     "'     'i%:    ■*     '4  •■^^'  ■ 


•i-^-a»»  - 


> 
'J 

X 


h'K 


('ri\'ri;(!(i    ri»>N.<    In 


r.  \  .     i|r-  '  ■   .  (      vl.ASK  ,< 


I  ||.-  ( Jr^'iit    >   M'tltiM  II  >M  "■  •             ri"    I    '  :.h*i,,i;(;!«»'ii   t-  »    n      ..     ;(slriiM  •  i    ■..!•', mi    \      ,,;;;r.i 

ii>  \  .i.<  piiioils  III"  Ml:  .t\  ,■  •  -  .  ,1  I,    I  III-.  I  >•  •  .-.               i  I!  rtiiri".  I  '■  •  ■  i  :      .   I     •  »    •••lini, 

'ill  I'li'il^' \vlliT'ii\'ci  i'mJ' .1  ,    •   •              lii  ■(        1;  ^»(h'             '.  •!>  •  iiM(ii«>i|i.\'  ■!'!  '%  .  I    •*!(,:•'    ''  .     ,i(  '  ■( 

<  >ll    illlc  m«  ;i.S|i.,|    ,,'<     III).                ,  .\    ,.     (i|,-.,i^-»        f        ;-.  ,  ,    |i||<'   I'f    III.-    ,il  .•    Mlifi'll     •>(«•         '       I   III       II' 
l.'.'llilllll. 

S'lft  iil'"<(  i»  ■='  <    ■   (■  I'  " 


'n/       ;     '...I    jiU'i'iiii 

IVvit  ••'"    i.i  -•    'A'  HI  I'li'i  s  wi  if 
I'll! ',  iiif  III  f  •'  i./iiii'iii  f'lir  t  li(\  i 

I  l;r  ,  111  •■   ■  .1  >-r.  |il  .i"lll<''!   '   V    ■!-       ■  ! 
Il'll  '     '   <lllllllli'  li'.li  llll".   •        • 


S|i(  (■).IU'li>   m(     I  •, 

'    'iirl    I  iilvi'ii,   N     • 

'n M'viid.ili;,  ■'■■iii.i; 


:  (f;c  WiM  il  -  si    '(tn  !i       ,«  ;  in'  lii'tliiillil  III  S,i:,  t  Mii  liil'-l's. 

,  (■IP'M  i\  1  ,*i';'i  III  I,,.  )  :,.ri>.  AhIIiC'I'  •i|ic(iMi»'iis  Wi'I  !■ 
ihU3,  ,iiiii  I  I.'  tlil.t  '  .  ■'  111  ilif  iiKiiitli  I''  S»'|itr:iilii  )■  I  ;rri 
■Ici'i.ir  ii>    i!ic\  ■    l.iiiiiv    lia\r  ir  "il. 


•'  •.! 


..•   I 


I  -lit    '  «■  •     ■'> 


11—    e  1    ■• 

■iliu   1  .  ■; 


W 


'i    I  II',    ■(;.    /(        (thfiilu'il  ii  11(1.   I'oit   Vlii  "11, 


'('111.  s|M'CKiii'r^  ..f  I'll    "i  fllin\  nnii|i  W  ;iil»;i'    i 
■*  Ihmo  iiicy  :iii'.«'i!. 

\'\)f}    lli;iuli|t   ii|||\    llir   u-omlcil  ]tiil'(  i^lll^.  Mt    ,  !.i-  .i  i  ■  '  ri- 

I  III)  ;crVf(l  MiN  VN';ii'MiT  -il   Nusliitnik,  lii  .sii  '  I  .  w    i.    In,  ■■,  I  •■r-,  \.  litii.'  il  vVIin  i|llili'  iil>ilii(lii.i; 
.iiiiiiii:;'  'ill.  'lilliiw  i!ii(.ki-ts  "ii  ili''  'Mi>ki*  iil   tl.'   ri\i 


'.!>!.        |)M'.MlHI>HV\     .%r!!i.»  I   \    f  !   (irsl.',        ;.'(■■.    /,/.'! :  I 

l'lil>-,   V\  ,i|  hicv  '..  :l.s  (lii  ;  i;ii'(l    iMii\    ll'i-ii}     '  -i^     iiiiwiii 

ll-<'  ^•'Ul^-  it'i'iiiO  on  Mill'  '_' ^    1S7T.     It  i«<  i..''.  ;     miilii  .n' 

T!'i -11'    I'l'i      'ill   ;  iH.ir''      i-jiri'sciu  llii  •     "  :m 


'■'"■•  ?;'  , 

(>ic'i:''i-,r  J**,  U''''>.  jnnl    .i;,''.     1.    II, 

Ml'  III    I  U,!lt.' !.,'.•.  )..'!•'■ 

•h'l     (.►rt/li'jl.'''       'tt'-if    'I  IV   il;   '!i;ii 


..     ir'VIwi'''  -  .1    /\,  ,  II   I     )'-'i' 
ivr  ('; !.'  'i'»<»f'!iii;:  ■••-n>  ,ii. 


■■    .^  '  ■  ■       rr-;;.!         ^  <r ,-(  i  ( )  ;ilr'. 

•■  •  .  •...    ■{-■:•■    ■    .    ■         '  Ui.  .   \'':|ii.|     li 1:   y,i-'V  <  ■'. 

II..','    liiii'i    i-iiMiMi;   !,    ii     i.',,,!    ■-  .riliiH    ill    !I1H    tllll,'  1,' 

'I'll-  I'Uils  wi'i,'  (|ii!;i  i;i  iillc.  iiii'i  t'l  i',|i|ih:i'(1  tiji'  ;,  ■  .i  •  uiOKg  ,liti'  fi)ll  ;;r:i-^s,  Si',11 1'liiii  _  ipl' 
MM  IT-.  iiDil  iiiMt'ilf,.  'llw;  I'l  i.ii-'i|!\  Win'  |i,il  lii'd  :l,  I'','  ■■■;ifi|'  ;;*)»!  .^'uiti  •■  I  l.ll  i  ii;l-^i  uli  I  .■>i-ll 
'.lU  iii)i;i  iiti'iii.      .\r>  r  !hr  i;,-!  h  ,  !  .''.ii(;ii-'  r-.-ii-    •'•t>f  t'l  i',    .-ii    .i. 

'i  111-    :■;:  1  ill, II  .i:ii,i,    ..'   Illl-,  ni.il   !.  r.'i.   ',<■//.(;      '  ,  iji'i  i  V  .'il      'r-   lUn  ;i"l  ('  '.  A'.    '  'i'   ■'■    . 


^•^  1.     :•>» 


»r'.v    \Vii}hh. 
\.  .11  Illl  '■  v>,<>  !)n>  „ 


.1; 


V    "■..     !   >     1    nil!    I'l',    ^v; 
'  !l  -kllU<i  II  ."'.I     ■    i' .1  lull" 'ilstiiiif.  !'i  •  ■. 


■-    i'l  .SI  1.1  A      r'.  \i-t. 
.1    sMlJili''    '(Il  I  Mlu'l.         *•.  I     (' Ml'U  '  ;»(.t^» 
■'..'li  ill    ii;iiL  sliiil  11    mil  II  •"     -U-i^ii't 

■    l:('il  =  )t,hr  n(  .>;iii;t  .Ml'  ■:  t.* 

\\  i.s  it.>(  ,1  I'oiiinniii  liii'i    .     j-i»l  »'»V  i.     ■    'ti'.i.        '  <;iiiv  vt  ;ii«  f'li!!  'ui'.i  it'ci". 

•  *'ii'r  -|'(' ■!?;,(  ii.s  ui'Vf     '    ,' -.JiftJ  ii'^'di  1    '  V  N  i    i|  >ii;iii*o.  v'.^itTi-  i"  is  n.-i  'ni'. 

■ '.r  '  lil  (»•;!.<  jiiiliUiiinii*-''      v!f*4ji|nik'     '•;»  ,  .<*..'*  t'.<  >>  |i.ilc     el    ,•.■',  ibii  i.r:. 

'>:»•'>. 1  .Mu'rAiiii,i..\  (viM/i  Ai     ■  Sivicii       I'v,,.'..  ♦.■iv'U'   '        -" '    rial!   Xi  ; 

'iu   ..--liitiii.  Ala.-k.'.,  1    t4i>»    .«»<i>,ii;>;      »i    >!j    »/(      -^.i'l*  ,.,      ii>    '.ii.ii-iiiiiy  ii!    Vi:- 

■     .  'f     ,,.  I,    «',.,    Mil    M'Clir«"l   Mil   11.      ■       it'  (Hi     -i'       .  '  II     li'H    II      II   Ml!  t      ..    . 

.    '.■   ..'    1.         .        jK  ;■:  1-  111'.   T,  :'  111   \  -.1 !  i.  li  III..  •  M    .    :■     ."  |.  I'  .   i  •         ,.i    i '    »  -  ;...r  ,       u,,  i 

•■'.         .1'.        •      ,         ,.1'.<      .  .,,1        \:\         I       ),lll«l      CM.     I,.  ..     ;  ,•        II      :     '        .|  .        Il 

;t  '  :'  j  i"!'i  l.ll,'.    'I    .      .  .      '  '.l-i  .till! 


'hi     I    Illl.' 


(  '1.      llilll. 


a 


O 
o 

a 


2 

$0 


3 


* 


t 
5 

o 

i 

D 
O 

a 

X 

o 


3 

H 
H 


X 


"^ww^^m  i»" 


<l 


OONTHIhHTIONH  TO  TIIK  NATUUAL  HISTORY  Ol'  AliAHKA. 


170 


wuti^hiiiK  tli«  vi'HHt^l,  wliicli  wiiH  to  tiikf  ink  (o  UiiiiliiMlikii  InIuiuI,  ciilfi  lln-  liiulior.  I  hiiw  ii  hinl 
jimt  lR>iM>aMi  tlio  wiiiiliiw  iiiitl  mi  ilic  ^louiitl,  not  ini>r«>  tliiiii  Mi>vi>n  tlH*t  rrotn  my  t\V('H.  At  tli**  lliHt 
^litiict<  I  Mii|)|iom><l  tlM>  liini  to  li*'  I'ltvlrniihiniaj'  uiiuiliH.  A  inoiiit'iit  Niitlii-ctl  to  coiiviiH'it  int'  tliitt  it 
wiiH  not.  I  run  to  \n't  iii\  kuik  innl,  as  I  (>|i«'ii*'il  tin*  door,  ol'  tlii>  ciiti'v  wii.v,  to  avt  oiit,tlit'  <loor 
o|i«'iH'<l  tlii'i-ctl.v  Oh  tlu'  liiid,  uliii'li,  witli  a  cliirp  pn'riHcly  liki'  that  of  lUnhiUn jUtrun  IfvriintridtuM, 
ttt*w  oti'  to  a  (liMtaiH't'  of  75  .vaids  and  ali^lilcd.  I  apiiroarlifd  »n  iiraiiy  an  I  daiid  and  tiled  at  it, 
hat  t'ailt'd  to  olitain  it,  iih  the  ^niii  was  loaded  with  No.il  shot.  It  tiew  olV  lieyoiul  the  hilln  and  wnH 
not  Keen  a^aiti.     Tlu*  liiistle  and  |ii'e|iai'alion  for  depattare  prexented  lae  tVoni  following  the  liinl. 

1  had  aiiiple  time  to  i<lentit',v  the  liird  iin  a  Moliwilla,  and  one  new  to  my  list.  The  Itliick  on  the 
head  and  neck,  to^etlier  with  the  grayJNli  on  tli(>  other  portioiiN  of  the  liody,  and  the  iiianner  ot' 
f;uit,  were  Niinie.ient  to  eaiiNi^  it  to  he  leeoKiiizetl. 

Mr.  \V.  II.  Dall  (Milieeted  a  specimen  of  thiH  HpecieN  lit  Plovor  Hay,  Hiheria,  and  one  was  col- 
lected hy  Dr.  T.  II.  Mean,  of  the  II.  H.  I'Msli  OomtniHsion,  in  the  same  locality  in  IHHO. 

Seehohin  (Ihis,  1M7H,  p.  'Ml',)  says:  "  I  have  a  skin  of  Matorilla  iimumiMis  Seeli.,  ( ollected  hy 
WossnesMcnsky  on  tlu^  \i'M  of  April,  ISl.'),  upon  Ooi'0);an  Island,  possihiy  either  one  of  the  Kiirile 
or  <nie  of  the  Aleutian  Islands."  I  have  endeavored  to  IIikI  tiie  ^eo(;raphical  position  of  Ooro^an 
Island  and  have  failed,  It  may  jiossiliiy  he  one  so  small  in  si/,(^  as  to  Ix'  known  only  to  those  who 
visit  that  locality. 

An  intimate  a<'(|iiaintanee  with  the  names  of  all  the  Aleutian  Islands  compels  me  to  assert 
that  it  is  not  to  he  foniiil  aiiMUi^  the  Aleutian  IhIiiiiiIs,  unless  it  he  soiiu*  i,  laud  which,  from  the 
Hpellin^,  "  Ooro);'an,"  is  not  now  reco(;uixahle,  nor  is  there  any  island  ol  the  eh  lin  which  approaches 
it  in  sound,  as  the  Aleutian  lanKua;;es  ha\c  no  "  1{"  in  their  vocahnlary.  It  i>  necessary,  however, 
to  state  that  Wossiict:;;  imky  dio,  aiioiit  that  time,  c  nileta  spccimen.s  of  un'  iral  hisliny  alonj;  the 
coasts  of  the  Okhotsk  Hea  for  the  Imperial  Aetulemy.  And  (hewink,  in  Hesehall'enheit  der  Nonl- 
WestKiiste  Ameri(!iis,  Ht.  I'etershiirf;,  lH"i(),  says: 

hii  Aii){iihI  IHIID^i'IiI  ,1.  (i.  Wimiii'HM'iiNKy  iil>,  Ixxiii'lil  IHIO  iiikI  tstl  Ni'iiiijliiiin,  Ohi'r  iinil  riiliTi'iilironiiiMi,  1H4'2 
iinil  iSC!  ilii'  Alciil  IncIiuil  tiiNclii,  iiii'liri'  liiM'lKrii|i|i)'n  iiii  lii-i'iiivHi'<<'<'T'<-  ii.  (It'll  KiiI/i'Iiiii'HiiikI,  ts<l'l  ilir  Kiii'IIncIiiii  IiiniIii  . 
1H45  iiiitl  ln4(!  Iii'I'vIhI  i'I  iIIc  ()i  liotskor  KUnIu,  1KI7  iliul  lS4h  dlti  t;uiiZ('  iriilliiiimtl  KiiliilHcliatku  iiiiil  ki'lirl  vim  liitii'  Uliur 
.Sitdiii  Jul!  IH4'.l  tiilt  iltMii  .ScIiIIVh  Atvlai  liucli  St.  Pt'ti'rMliiiru  zuriluk. 

A  Hccoiid  refen'iice  to  the  voyajres  made  hy  Vosiiesseiisky  is  to  be  found  in  Nouvclles  Annales 
des  N'oyuges,  rails,  A.  iJeitrand,  l.SKi,  tome  III  de  la  Collection  V",  serie  VI,  tome  II,  p.  -att. 

UiiiiN  III  sf^Hiicddi)  I'Auailt^niio  Iiii|i(<rial)i  <Ui  Saint- IN^torHlioiirK  (rliiHuit  |ili,vHi(H)-iimtli(^uiiilii|iic),  iln  til  Noplrnilur 
ilrriiiiT  (I"  octiiliK',  li.  I't.),  illic  li'lllr  ilc  M.  I'.tliullli  ii  liiit  riiMliiilIrr  Iih  iliTlili'li'M  iMiiiiHrH  ilii  jiiV'iiiiiiili'iirN'ii/iH'HHi'iiKkv, 
Diiim  IVli^  ilii  1^4.■l,  api'i'H  iivciir  viHili'  lis  IIch  KniiiiN'H,  li'  vojiinmii  a  iiiiiiiillriS  iIiuih  Ii>  purl  ilr  ritnipiiiilovHk,  an 
Kaiiilrliaka  ;  piiiH  ilr  lit  II  H'rMt  umiiIii  mix  Din  ili'  lii'liiiiin,  i\  Attn,  Alklia,  Saint  I'aiil  fl  .^aiiil-(icoit;rH,i't  II  iHt  nviiiii 
I'll  aiitoiiiiiii  il  Niivii'ArkliaiiKlK'lxk.  l/i\M.  lOlliollii  liil  ii  ioiinii  rncciiNlnii  ili<  viHltcr  Ii'h  iIi^M'iiIIn  iIin  KiiIi>i:Iii'n.  An 
iiioiiKint  <ln  ilf'parl  ilr  la  pdhti',  \'ii/,iirHHi'iiNk,v  NiMlispiiNail  pniir  nii  viiyii);r  a  OkholNk  I't  ilaiiH  Ir  j^ollV  il'Ai'aii,  il'nii  il 
tluvitit  iTVi'iiiriV  I'utriipaiilnVHk.  Cjnaraiilr-ilitiix  raJHi'N,  ri'iil'i'iiiiunt  lu  ii^cuIih  iIvh  (loriiii-ri'Ni'iiiiiHcMiln  /oltMiatiiralmtc, 
(Staleiit  jmrtieH  iioiir  Saint-I'i^li'iNliiiiirK  par  la  vnir  du  l.iniilifH. 

Gi)6.  lUiDYTKH  I'LAVUS  LKUCOSTUiATUS  ( lloiii.).     Siberian  Yellow  Wagtail. 

This  bird  arrives  about  the  I2th  of  .lune;  a  few  days  earlier  or  later,  depending  on  the  opening 
of  the  Hpriiig.  IiniiKuliately  oil  its  arrival,  in  hut  few  numbers,  they  are  very  shy,  aliglitiu<>:  on  the 
bare  areas  of  gioiiiid  to  lly  away  at  only  an  instant  of  rest.  Few  females  arrive  with  the  earliest 
visitants.  Hut  few  days  elapse  before  mating  begins.  A  pair  is  no  sooner  mated  than  the  labor 
of  making  their  nest  coinmeiu^es.  A  tussock  of  grass,  on  which  the  dead  steins  and  blades  have 
fallen  over  and  form  a  cover,  is  the  jilaee  selected  for  the  nest.  The  nest  is  constructed  of  tine 
glasses  with  few  grass  roots,  built  into  a  compact  form,  having  the  edges  or  walls  of  the  ne.st  well 
earned  uj),  so  that  the  silting  bird  is  nearly  obscured  in  her  nest. 

Kggs  are  sometimes  laid  before  the  nest  i.s  comjileted.  The  process  of  constrncl  ion  goes  on 
until  the  open  spaiie,  niider  the  overhanging  grass,  is  tilled  with  the  bulk  of  the  nest.  The  over, 
hiiiigiiig  grass-blades  are  then  drawn  over  the  nest,  leaving  only  a  sniall  rounded  hole  between 
them  as  an  entrance  to  the  nest. 

The  conipleinent  of  eggs  varies  from  five  to  seven,  the  latter  number  being  the  usual  number 
iu  the  nest. 


HI  q  ■Ilili.lMWHl* 


'f'™'?'' 


J  80 


OONTHIBl  TIONS  TO  TUB  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


Iiiciibatioii  liiNtH  tiv.  to  IhirJc'cn  days.  The  young  birds  are  I'od  ex»!liiHively  on  inHect  food. 
They  are  able  to  fly  in  ^;t■tee^  to  eighteen  (hiys  after  hatclung. 

The  earliest  birdti  sometimes  hatcli  two  Itroodw  of  young  in  aseason,  as  young. just  able  to  tly 
have  been  observed  as  late  as  August  IStii. 

By  the  Iht  of  September  the  birds  of  this  species  collect  into  sumll  flocks,  of  eight  to  twenty 
ill  number,  and  remain  until  as  late  as  Stpteinber  t-Mst,  at  wlii<!li  date  they  have  about  all  disai)peared. 
Tliey  generally  signalize  their  readiness  to  depart  by  asseinbling  on  the  low  banks,  bordering  the 
beach,  and  dart  high  into  the  air  to  return  to  the  same,  or  similar,  i)luce  after  a  few  minutes  time. 
At  this  i)articular  season  of  the  year  they  are  i  tremely  wary  and  difliciult  of  ai)proach.  Tlie  only 
note  ever  heard  was  an  imjtatient  chirp,  uttered  <udy  while  on  th'i  wing.  On  the  ground  the 
bird  walks,  with  a  screwing  motion,  the  head  and  neck  moving  back  and  forward  with  each 
step,  whilu  the  tail  is  constantly'  tilting  up  and  <lowi). 

There  are  no  seasonal  dirt'erences  in  the  adults,  the  coloration  of  the  male  being  only  brighter 
than  that  of  the  female.  The  young  assume  the  aduli,  pbiinage  only  on  the  second  ye;vr,  or  at  least 
after  they  have  det)artetl  from  this  region. 

The  nests  and  eggs  were  obtained  after  inuch  dilliculty. 

I  en<leavi,red  to  procure  the  paren*^  of  some  nests  for  certainty  of  identitication,  and  iu)t  until 
a  native  suggested  to  me  to  place  a  slip-noose  over  the  entrance  did  I  succ^^ed  in  catching  every 
(die  1  desired. 

The  range  of  this  bird  is  strictly  littoral,  and  includes  the  outlying  islands  near  th"  mainland. 
It  was  observed  at  Saint  Mi»'.haels,  Yukon  Kiver  mouth,  Kuskokvim  River  moulli,  and  Nushagak 
on  Bristol  Bay  (luring  the  breeding  season. 

1  once  observe'.,!  the  l)ird  on  Attn  Islaiul  (the  westennnost  of  the  Aleutian  Chain)  on  Sunday, 
October  8,  1880.  I  chased  the  bird  up  and  down  for  two  liours.  but  was  not  able  to  get  near 
enough  for  a  shot,  as  it  was  very  wild.  It  was  evidently  on  the  fall  migration,  and  none  were  .seen 
i'ter  that  day.     It  iloes  not  remain  on  the  Aleutian  !  'ands  diiring  the  breeding  season. 

The  Eskimo  name  of  this  bird  is  I'xitii  kfik  and  refers  to  its  note. 

A  comparison  of  this  species  with  the  European  bird  sIk  vvt  out  little  diflerence,  it  being  only 
in  the  amount  of  dark  on  the  upper  breast,  and  the  amount  of  gray  (ui  the  head,  though  this  varies 
extremely  in  the  Alaskan  specimens. 

697.  ANTiTHS  PKNSiL/ANious  (Lath.).     Americ  n  Pipit. 

The  AmericiJi  Pipit  occu"s  throughout  the  Territory  of  Alaska,  including  tii"  Aleutian 
Isi.ruds. 

It  !8  found  in  greatest  abundance  in  the  interior  of  the  mainland,  especially  in  the  neighbor 
h(n,  I  of  Kort  Yukon.     In  rarely  visits  Saint  Michael's  except  in  the  Tall. 

On  the  Aleutian  Islands  it  prefers  the  high"'  iiills.  Thosii  whose  to))^  are  bi>re  of  vegetation 
seem  to  be  their  favorite  re-sort.  They  br<»..l  wherever  fouiul  .n  summer.  A  jtair  coUecited  in 
August,  1878,  at  Uiialashka  Island,  were  known  to  have  nested  on  the  high  hills  jnst  east  of  the 
graveyard.     I  searched  many  times  for  tlit>  ucst,  but  laiied  to  lind  it,  and  then  shoti  the  birds. 

Their  note  is  a  peculiar  whistling  strain  of  a  high  Key,  and  uttered  (uily  as  the  bird  Hies  from 
one  peak  to  another.  When  sitting  on  the  ground  a  chirp  resembling  tlie  chirp  of  U.jlavun  Im 
uttered. 

At  Attn  Island  1  saw  this  bird  in  the  early  part  of  Septeml)er,  I88(».  The  bird  alighted  tor 
a  moment  on  a  little  eminence  <>f  a  high  plateau  at  the  head  of  Massacre  Bay,  on  the  south  side 
of  this  island.  Not  having  a  gun  with  me  I  could  not  secure  the  bird.  It  is  not  at  all  abundant 
at  that  place,  as  it  was  the  cnly  one  seen  there. 

At  Atklii>  Island  I  saw  a  pair  of  these  birds  which  evidently  had  a  nest  on  the  lop  of  the 
high  hills  bip'kof  the  head  of  Nazan  Bay.  Another  individual  was  seen  on  the  northwest  side  of 
the  same  bay.  I  heard  it  singing  and  scaled  a  steej)  blufl'of  near  800  feel  high  to  secnie  the  bird. 
It  must  have  been  disturbed  by  my  presen  "e,  for  Just  as  1  arrived  at  the  top  and  stojtped,  to  take  a 
nioi.ient's  breath,  the  bird  took  a  long  t^.„'ht  and  was  lost  to  siglit  and  hearing. 

[r>9J>.j  Anthus  CKRVINUH  (Palias).     Meadow  Pipit.     |aee  Plate  IX.] 
A  single  specimen  of  t  his  bird  was  obtained  by  Mess.s.  Dall  and  Bannister  at  S'liiit  Michael's. 


(i    ' 


i 


r/'^'^jr'.n  ^--^^ 


tT5T 


p:.A'i:F  IX. 


:-y^^ 


^' 


\ 


/        L 


./^ 


A." 


«     ^.Sj*>- 


*-.#**' 


■4^y§ 


' »,'' 


•  <irf-:- 


r^; 


',,^f»- 


•'***~ ',r*^^*-'-'"       »**>«-*.; 


-f.-' 


■fw'^jwf-:^ 


ixit  i  i.i\j.-     (^crvvjiNUO   ^t-'ALL.' Adult,  Winif.f^  Flumaqe. 


-^^7^-nww.Tn/-ij;^y:»'--»7^V^*J'iK  :  V^~™  '7    iTT^^inr^wjif  f  '17  •  >N 


iliclll.aliui'  iit.-lt:  M'h  t'  illiU''"  i.  .i:'...i^.  !  vi'  .V'HI'll^  l<i><ls  I,'.  !.  (i  ^•\,■|'\:■•<^• '<!  I'l'  'i*:''*.  '«.i-J'. 
'i  lity  .He  111'!*.'    'I  !iv   ii;  tii'ttn  n  iii  ("'fjttct  i-  «!-*>>:  j«(ti'r  Halclii!:^- 

riii   i'rulii'-it  (>ir(I-  ■■'  'iii'liiafs  >i  tv-.   •  '  *i:.  )>*<»!>(ls  ul    voni.f;  'i'  a.McisiSDti.  -v    \   't  '  <  !■•••''  .f"«-      -    !'. 

liniii;  il)i!,  mill  1  'ur.,;!'.  •«>  .;'  i  •  ;!*t>^  »  < -3.  (t**"   1   <  '     t    •    '\i     !•     •  1  '    •  \  li    \  1  iiUiv.ii   si!  <r.vji.!('' ■<<•'• 

T!it<_v  iTcnrri!!;.  ,-.'t'iH''»'  '>'■"   :"«        iffsufi,    1  »  1  •  »        ^  ttii  tli(>  Io»  ■'>iiiik!<.  i!i'nl.Mt:tt  lUt- 

i<t.>iA\.  ;i(ii!  ilillt   '■.it'i  i;;t'i  t'M<-   rt'i   '         '  «W    ■■-  y         f^i    " '.J<'e   lltttF  a  !'ev<   iniiiiiti"--  i!U»i- 

At  ;!.is  jiiiitu 'ilm   ■i*a.-'>ti  ij    .•.>■     .  -n    ti   »  ■«         -     r  -     ^«  >!i^\  (|»n' '4i'>      1'  "f    ^Pt'l'iuirlf.     'rin- ia:|\ 

'cr.l.;    t;V('l     h^'.U'i'.     >•■  Mli    Ul,    lOli'iKu  I  <!    '«fj  W*"*^****    **<'^^     -A^-lik-  »       C         (hi    rill'    jijOlllhl    '!l'' 

i>.ri|     \v;illi.x,    \M   ii    n   f.'-u  Viiuiz    n  ,'         *>  ?5«!fl(^   «»>>><    .it^'k    tp  f"         ■■•!     (■'1>.n  :i  lit     \Mlli    Ciirli 

s.'.j..  .ihiii'  till'  f;->l  i.<  i-(,ti^iii)i'!'     (vr  (ir  >t 

'lli,Ti-ar;  IX.  ,-<-M -Mwii.' iiJitt'i'i  •     1  '  r<»i    1.  '  ■■  'm   .  ;:  ■ll|!^•  Li 'i,''!! '■)■ 

In;. 11  thsif  !)f  lh(;  I'cti.al.-.       ^  (■»•  ^•>r.        »«■*•■.■  ;>(».■    *?;•  ,;  i-  .  '■     •',■' i;.'>'«  v«:t,_f.  f     .-,  1     iv    M  I"  .!•-! 

;••.(•)  rhi-.v  liiivf  (K-j-n-uii  If  -■  <    ':ik"  ^i'^.  ;>, 

TIk'  It";-"-  ,4in)  e^ij..*  >■  :»■        t.iUs'.  <     '»"•<#    '^.  !    •        **tu>.t*i> 

1  fi>(li-,i  .  "if^■i  t.i  jfriivu:''  ti..'  j-.-(iv»     .  .  f  .■•t;.t.K.  ;«■"«■;-»((■»»•»     . .'  •     ■  .hi   »<„■  .  .  .iit>'   '...;  11:. ti 

i   !:.tiiVi      s'lj;^i'rti'-;!  In   l|ir  !•■    (!:.!t;r    .«  li  .      -;i    ••>■  ,    i''>'  :         ■}..  ..    «•»•.'■', ii    '   .   i'\-'ti'  iV"". 

•>::i-   1   lit    ,ii':l. 

*'lir  liiiiui-  ifi'  liii^  liinl  is  strict!'  ii':  .■•-,  iin<^  mhui!.!.'.-  ■ -ik  ^  '•>'.\'-uv  ;>i  -.'i.t'-  i.-  rlu;  niaiiil.uHi 
f  w  >iS  <ii\sr<  \'-i)  If  rf.iiiit  M!i''.;>i-!s,  Viik-.i.  S;';  <-'  .i-!.i,>,;,  u  ■'.i|ji4-"v*;i.  Ji'  ";  .roiu!..  -ii  .1  >.  i!,.i|i.)i.''-'l< 
ill    i;;i.-lii!  i'liiy  ihiviMjj;  ilu-  bu^ii'.-i.u   -<'a-.  ii 

I  OIH'-  •il>^.  T'  I'li  'lif  1 1)1(1  ^111  At*!  If!  i:itl  '  ;  ,i  \.'(  .sli-ri!.'  ,(!!*;  i.;  Ut  \''.^  ..t  MII  <  '^MiUI  '.'l  Si:iiil.l,\  , 
•^i'MIk'T  .^.  !->'^H.  I  .  'iU-'il  l!ir  ii.lil  U]i  ,!ln\  ■I.cvll  I'or  t'-.>-i  liiJI.  -..  '<:'  >  .-.  ilii'  -'-111'  lO  U'l  liOrtl 
r,-ii...i^ii  ,,.!■  ■  -iisii: .  US  :l  v.nst.ri  \.ilil.  I<  '.Nas  I-Viilful ,  v  cii;  Hu'  i'lili  ,iii  :  ,!  .id,  ..nt  ikhh'  <\»vii:  ■(■.  1 
.  '. .  I   ;  ,i:it    !.'.'..      M  Jill  .-   I  ot  I  riii.iih  011  I  l.i'  A  't'littaii  N'.mi:!-  ilis.'!!)^!;;  '  'i'     .1  '.'il'i',^  sr-!s.,.;i. 

r.  .'  I  •  I.  hiO  :);iiJi>;  («■  Ibis  blfil  i  ■,   !'<i,  1   kii.\     u:.l  iriV;.^  ,.!  it-  »:<...  , 
',  (.in.('-   '.-.'It  i,.     f  i-.»i_.«"-^it'i''h>«  %viMi  .;■■•.  Ki'r". '(■•:.''  ..ii  •      ,i.',v      .i;;  !  I   )(>  .I,'|.':.'iii-...  1'   '•,,,;;.    ii 

.'    .    '.        i-:'       ■         .       :  ■;•  K      '-■        ;/•  ifp-,><  ,     .  J  ';.'■.        '■■•.».  .'    ■       '.V    '   ,  (I      '    V     i.-'    r      i;   .  Iij  •  v    .  .  |. 

!  .1    M.!:. 

(t  ;s  ii.ii'.'i  ;;    j.u-   U'.-\    i:i.i.'. I  .!'•<»    il^iV.;     .  ;-<vH'-  i-t   t'-   .ii..    iiiiMi    "■,■   •'.■<':    ..    (.>•■    ..t  j;^:.!'"! 
il'.ii.l  1  f    I  I'M.    .  iiU'll.       In    .■ar-fiy  \  ;.-,!!■.»  S.-ic..*-    ~i;.i'i!iii'\  t-s    .,  t'  ><i  ;,i.      I'll.. 

■,>li  ''ill-  Alt.'iuiSili  IshMH.'-  •!  lUA-('--Vs  l!..;  Ili^^li-I  llji'.^;  't  M  '■>"!  i^  liOj^i'  U(n  '.•  ■•ili-  i'  Vi.;,"-;itlim 
>H'--i  ,.  to  iif  Mi.;f  l-;\')ui('  r;-.  olC.  T)i'.->  !»HT't  ••  luics  ^'r  .liliiU  m  .viiliirin  r.  A  |iair  i'i..lii<:t»-ii  in 
.\llj.Ms,,  1  •;,^.  i|i  ■■.ril.i  likii  l>l,ii:i|,  w-  iV  ktli'iiM  :i>  li  .\'-  ./.sl.-d  oil  llii'  i,l;,''i!  Iiil.-  ;il.>-',  i-;i-t  >i''  I'k' 
..,i',iv>-\  ,i;i|,      '  >!     m!,i  il  i'   1'.   .     Mill  >  ;.'i   ;  ill-  ...   .;,    ,,,     (.)il((t  fu  llm;     f,  mi'  tli,  .    ■jint   i|i.-    .ii.l:^. 

'''!/i->l  IK  '(»  •••  .  'i.!!;i..t  ■•  lii>t''ii;_'  -i- ;  I  '  a  'iii;)'  hi,\  •.:■,',  ,  ,.1  '!  . -i  ! 'ii-  !i.|  ;;  .|i.-  (iir; 
•  Mir   '.iMiN    to  ,i..)l,';i'.       W 'ii.  ;    -,!    ...    .  ■■    ,.   •  r  .■  i    1'    ■  I  i;ir,i    ■    .     J..    ,  ■.      |,  ^.  ■,:    /:.  ■!■:,  jn  i» 

\t    A  t|:t    Isiaiul    !    :    I  .     ili'?.    liiiM     1:!    ''«•:■.  ..■!;!>.„!,.,      '-m,.        i  Ii'  llj ;   I  i|  i  iir  j   ;  .)   (>  , 

■    '.ii  ,i..(iu  a  lii.'lfi'i.  iiifiiii'  .  )'   I  iiijii  j'ln''.<  <■'.»'  .,.   "•iii-'.-r-rir  I'>!i\  ci   .in  ■'<   lili  Mil 

•   ^.-iiaaii       ^ill;  baViii;.;  :i  i'lVi    .cuh  .n"  I  (•>■-<•  j-r     ;!.<       ■:it       n  1     ,,    s    ;     ('.     Ut  ,i,ij|ii. 
a             ,    U'.'-.    .A  '1   '.v.i.*  tilt'  mill  "UK   H*?*il  tiivii' 

i^UK.i    .tiin:.;'.  i  saw  a  i>  i  '  •.-)   'Iirse   Us  >:-    i-  ■  ■   .         ... i  ii  1;,    ii;,i         j.cst  .,|.   il!,    (.  ;   ..(   ■!■..■ 

i    ..'/■   '1).    ■      •-    k"..   1   ><    !h.;i(i  (il   N(i:':-I)   I'-ii.       Al'lM't'V  •  »/    -,      ■.■«'   «  ".->  Ni:v  1  ..1;  'in  i.il'ij'Ai  -i      'lii-   ii; 

■  i.     •••;,»  1.    V       1    .1  ii  i'  u  -tiiiuiiij;  ainl  .I'-ikii -i  .ii  ••;'!■■  lit...'"'     '       ,■■■   i(H'  (fci  In:;!!  •,     .«•<      •  i-,   lnni. 

it  I,  ist  i.,  ^•^    ■■  '1   !,,-!i'.irl.v'it  i.i_v  ,)iy  (»r<.'.'~,eiii  e,  ('i.i  jf.-!  *>  i  ::•  <    tv*  <•.'  I'li-  lo;.  aai|  -ii,) ; .,  i  .  ■.,  i;i],,.  ;■, 
1  1.  Il' '  i       ••  ■  11.      "  '^1'  ill!  .1  loiiU  ;i  Iiiiiy  tlif^lii  a,'.'!  •■  !>  '  ■^'  ».-■•  c  :  '■ ,    .  !<1  lii.aciiii; 

.C>l,.    .in.     >      (J    .•t.i.V'NI   H   li\v!'us,.        .I/k.1,/  ,;i      ,■-.:-;.        ::>r>.  .,ti     IK.' 

.\  ■....li^    -;  ■     'ifi'v      '  I 'u^  l-ii'.'  V -iN  .''il'iiiii  .Ml'    •?is-.i      ''♦.1  '  .iiii'  '■' I.  .u^i.i-.   ,il  .'i.iiiit   M:i;li  i<  .':.. 


PLATE  IX. 


Ua   ll'Mli  l.lll(>»-»   ""-h'LNB    to  « 


TROGLODYTES  ALASCENSIS.    (Baird  )    Adult. 
ANTHUS     CERVINUS  (P^-.l.)  Adult.  Winter  Plumage. 


•4»!i(il!Vl>ip«J»lW|lppi|Uf«Lj,Jki»WWlWS'»».>l«^ 


'"yjl'lf!!!  ",i,"»*«^*»wy'»fW'''*<'?»y!Ti9.^."jpi  I 


w^jt*^t;Tjwt'^WV^^*'*'-!i"tJ-'l'*!'."rJT*»'"»^w-^^(  mjjg^l^^^  » 


^«Ei»^5l^yWwv- 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


181 


This  with  »  8i)eciiiien  obtained  in  1845  in  Greenland  are  the  only  two  examples  of  this  species  taken 
on  the  American  shores. 

The  habits  of  the  species  are  known  only  from  Enrojtean  individuals. 

It  is  deemed  of  sufficient  interest  to  present  a  i)late  of  this  si)C(;imen  to  accompany  this  report. 

701.  CiNCLUS  MEXiOANtis  Swains.    Amerimii  jyipptr. 

Obtained  from  sever.-il  localities.  Number  170  was  obtained  at  Unalashka  Islaml,  Alaska.  It 
inhabits  the  rocky  creeks  flowing  from  the  mountains.  It  is  not  common  here.  I  observed  it  on 
another  occasion,  but  failed  to  secure  it.     A  permanent  resident  and  breeds  here. 

The  (''xM  specimens  were  obtained  from  Nulato,  Alaska.  At  this  itlace  the  bird  is  common, 
breeds  here,  and  is  a  winter  resident  along  the  open  streams  in  the  neighborhood  of  springs  which 
keep  the  water  from  freezing  even  in  coldest  weather. 

No.  210  presents  the  following  measurements  taken  from  the  fresh  .siiecimen,  7.5  by  10.8  by 
3.4  by  2.2;  iris  and  bill  bla<',k :  feet  soiled-white  with  dark  joints;  claws  white;  ?ad.  No.  1022 
measures  7.75  by  12  by  3.8  by  2,  with  iris  and  bill  black;  feet  soiled-white,  with  dark  joints. 

I  observed  this  bird  at  Attn  Island.  It  was  in  the  small  creek  which  efupties  in  Chichagof 
Harbor.  The  bird  flew  a  little  distance,  on  my  unexi)ecte(l  ii))pioach,  and  further  search  failed  to 
drive  it  from  its  hiding  place.  It  is  said  to  be  extremely  laie  at  Attn,  as  only  few  of  the  natives 
knew  anything  about  the  bird. 

723.  Troglodytks  alascknsis  Baird.    Alaslan  IV»e«.     [See  Plate  IX.] 

Original  No.s.  G,  172,  173,  174,  175,  176,  177. 

This  jdeasing  little  bird  is  found  iu  abundance  on  all  the  Aleutian  Chain  i)roper.  It  also  was 
observed  on  Unga  Islaud,  Kodiak  Lsland,  and  on  the  mainland  at  Belkovsky.  It  never  goes  to  the 
interior  of  even  the  medinm-sized  islands,  but  remains  strictly  along  the  dills,  bluffs,  and  other 
high  places  forming  the  .seasides  of  the  islands.  The  lowlands  in  proximity  to  the  water  is  also 
inhabited  by  them.  The  latter,  together  with  the  large  bowlders  lyiug  at  the  water's  edge,  form 
their  favorite  haunts.     Weed-patches  near  a  settlement  is  also  a  favorite  resort  of  these  Wrens 

in  the  fall. 

They  remain  on  these  islands  during  the  entire  year,  and  are  as  numerous  in  winter  as  in 

summer. 

Their  food  consists  of  insects,  and  occasionally  a  few  seeds  will  be  found  in  their  crops. 

Mating  occurs  early  in  May  or  late  in  April.  Nidification  begins  immediately.  The  nest  is 
placed  in  a  crevice  in  the  face  of  a  cliff  or  anmngst  the  large  tussocks  of  wild  rye  or  other  grasses 
The  nest  is  large  and  well  built;  coarse  grasses  and  roots  form  the  foundation,  and  as  the  nest 
nears  completion  snuvller  grasses  are  selected.  The  interior  of  the  nest  contains  few  feathers  of 
various  species  of  birds.  The  walls  of  the  ne.st  are  well  carried  up,  and  in  some  instances  form  a 
partial  roof  over  the  nest,  leaving  a  hole  in  one  side  as  an  entrance.  Five  to  nine  eggs  are  laid; 
they  arc  i)ure  white  in  color.  The  young  birds  are  able  to  fly  in  three  or  four  weeks  after  hatching. 
1  am  not  certain  that  more  than  one  brood  is  hatched  in  a  .season,  but  young  birds  have  been  seen 
late  as  August  25th,  At  the  ai>proach  of  winter  the  bird  l)ecomes  very  familiar,  and  is  frequently 
found  on  the  window-sills  searching  for  insects. 

On  one  occasion  1  heard  a  gentle  tapping  at  my  back  windo\v;  as  I  had  frequently  ho^rd  the 
sauie  noise,  I  carefully  drew  the  curtain  i)aitly  aside,  and  saw  a  Wren  endeavoring  to  obtain  a  fly 
that  was  inside  of  the  pane  of  glass.     The  bird  did  not  appear  to  be  disturbed  by  my  presence. 

Their  note  is  a  prolonged  twitter  of  several  uiodulations  and  repeated  at  short  intervals.  When 
surprised,  or  when  they  come  npon  an  object  that  excites  their  curiosity,  a  rapid  and  long  rattle  is 
sounded  as  an  alarm,  soon  to  be  answered  by  a  second  bird.  These  two  keep  uj)  the  sound  until 
all  the  Wrens  within  hearing  assemble  to  investigate  the  cause.  As  many  as  a  dozen  will  surround 
the  object,  and  ai»proaeh  so  close  that  the  outstretched  hand  might  <;ai)ture  them.  The  least 
motion,  however,  disperses  them  so  quickly  that  one  wonders  wliere  they  have  disappeared. 
They,  at  the.se  times,  hide  under  the  stalks  of  the  weeds  or  grass. 

The  fresh  <'ol(>.-  of  the  bill  varies  from  very  pale  to  dark  horn.  The  base  of  the  lower  nniudi- 
ble  is  always  paler  than  any  other  i)art.  The  tarsi  and  feet  are  pale,  with  darker  claws.  The 
length  of  the  bill  is  extremely  variable.    The  iris  is  deepest,  shining  black. 


.jffft.A^yr 


■W^WTKT. 


182 


CONTRIBUT[ONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


7351).  Pakus  ATRKJAPiLLiTS  occiDENTALis  (Buinl).     Oregon  Chickadee. 

Tlif  Oregon  Cbickadeo  riingeH  thiough  tlie  Yukim  District.  During  a  warm  period  of  winter 
titese  birds  were  occaHionallj  seen  at  Saint  Micliael's.  Tliey  retire  to  the  interior  during  the  nioutb 
of  May  and  are  not  to  be  seen  during  the  snnuiier  on  tlie  tioast. 

They  breed  in  the  wooded  districts. 

Specimens  were  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon,  Niilato,  and  Saint  Michael's. 

This  Chickadee  presents  several  cliaraeters  wliieh  may  eventually  permit  it  to  be  ranked  as 
a  variety  peculiar  to  the  iN'orthwtst  coast.  An  insnfliciency  of  specimens  from  intermediate  locali- 
ties alone  prevents  lue  from  making  a  comparison  of  tiie  present  material.  The  evidence  at  hand 
scarcely  warrants  the  separation  of  the  bird  as  a  variety. 

739.  Parus  cinctus  obtectiis  (Cab.).     Siberian  Chickadee.    [See  Piute  X.J 

Parm  vinctus  Auct.  nee  BoDU.  (1783).— Ridgway,  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  CI.,  1878,  p.  37. 

Parvs  nihiricus  Auct.  uec  Omel.     (1788.) 
!182f). — I'aruH  einereun  Pall.,  Zoog.  Rus.soAsiatica.     I,  p.  558. 

1853. — Parm  sihirictis  forma  major  MlDD.  Sibir.  Reise.     I,  p.  — . 

1871.— i'«>-««  (Poerila)  ohtectm  Cah.,  Jour.  f.  Ornith..  1871,  p.  237  (May). 

1871. — Parus  grixencens  Duesseu  and  Siiakpe,  Birds  of  Europe,  Part  VI,  I,  p.  5  (August). 

1883. — Parus  cinctiis  grisescens  Nelson,  Cruise  Corwin,  |).  (JO. 

Several  specimens  of  Parm  were  obtained  from  various  localities  in  the  Yukon  district.  They 
were  referred  to  the  species  vinitux.  (See  Bull.  >utt.  Ornilh.  Club  for  January,  1878,  p.  37.)  That 
they  should  liav?  been  referred  to  the  sjiecies  obtectvs  will  appear  from  the  following  comiiarisons  : 

Previous  to  1878  ParuKcinclnn  BoDD  had  not  bi'eii  detiMited  within  our  Nor<h  American  limits. 
About  the  same  time  my  specimens  were  received  at  the  Smith.sonian  Institution.  A  Parus 
(obtained  by  Mr.  MacFarlane  at  Fort  Anderson,  Hudson  Bay  Territory,  June,  1864)  was  discovered 
among  the  duplicates  and  was  subsequently  determined  to  be  the  same  sjiecies. 

A  comparison  of  my  specimens  with  Parus  nnctns  BoDU  (=P.  sihiri<ius  Gmel.  et  Ai^CT.),  from 
Lapland,  siiovvs  that  the  American  specimens  are  not  P.  ductus,  but  are  undistinguisltable  from 
i*.  obU'ctus  Cab.,  as  1  propose  to  show  : 

Partin  cinclim  BuDi). 


Cnlmen.       Wiiig.      leathern      l'"''""'- 

j 
^'toe.'"       '*«='■              LocBlity.          '       Dale.      i 

0.46           2.65           3.65           0.63 
0.41             2.01             2.61             0.62 
0.41             2.B1              2.60             0.67 

0.3«     cf  »d       Lapland 1 i 

0.35     d'ad do !  Mar.,  18.'i5 

0.37      $  ad do Mar., 1855 

0.42            2.63  1          2.82  I          0.64 

i                   ; 

0.37                                                  1                     1 

if 


I'anm  obtfctiis  Cam. 


ass! 

2.65 

2.65 

0.08 

0.40 

2.  CO 
2.  65 

2.07 
2.  40 

0.02 
0.60 

0.  35 

0.40 

0.40 

0.40 

2.70 

2.t<5 

0.C6 

0  40 

0.41 

2.70 

2.80 

0.85 

0.40 

0.40 

2.  70 

2.70 

11.  38 

0.39 

0.40 

1 

2.65  1 

2.68 

0.63  1 

U.39 

—  nd..    .Nulato Mar.,  1875 

9  ail..    Kort  Anderson  ...  June. 1864 

—  ad..    Nulato Mar.,  1 875 

?  ad do Mar.,  1875 

J  ad..    Saint  Michael's...  Feb.,  1876 

,/ad..    Nulato  Mar.,  1875 


Although  the  tables  of  measurements  prove  but  slight  relative  difference  between  the  species^ 
the  jiattern  of  coloration  will  show  that  P.  •■inctuH  has  the  forehead,  top,  and  back  of  head  light 
grayish-brown.  Back,  ligiit  grayish,  raw  umber.  Tail,  plumbeous.  Greater  coverts  edged  with 
brownish  white;  secondaries  edged  with  grayish  wiiite.  Lores,  snutt-brown,  Neck,  and  sides  of 
head,  white.  Chin  and  throat,  sepiabrown.  Breast  antl  abdomen,  white.  Sides  and  flanks,  reddish 
ochraceous.  In  some  of  the  Lapland  spetiimens  the  darker  colors  are  much  inteusifled,  especially  on 
back  and  sides. 


i 


\p 


-->■  # 


..-iwK'i 


■s. 


'v^  ■■*■ 


>«#  k 


PLATE  X, 


FAR  US  HUDSONJCUS  'For,t.; 
:-.,J3  CJNCTUS  OBTECTUS  (Cai. 


•■^^■^"•'B.i  I     JilJ^pillflU.      •Hill  "I 


1«2 


tJONTHIlUTTlONvS  TO  THE   H  iK'  r<    ii  >?T»»UY  <»1    At,ABK\ 


T'.i' Ovi'jitMi  ('lii(;kii<)('e  ihii)B1'«'  tii.i«*?»£ti  ;ln'  Viikou  !-;*ti;ct.  Mninti;  i»  v*vu\  f«-- 4/4v  '^*  *.*•;'*.«» 
tli«*i4  iiinl.s  vv>;n' oucM.sioii>i1!j*  •■<-'»*.i  '*!  Srthit  Muv-irr-*.  '".-•s  ii'iiri' lu  t(i(  i))<' ri'Ti  'iM.  .<-*?■'<  *''«..>< 
Ill   May  .iiiil  auMiot  t'H'ir  *.-«-•»»  rtv«.«K  rt»»»  (•iiniii  t^i  <>ii  ?!•<    <  ..*t. 

Tlii'.v  hii'ci,'  ill  till'  wi,MnJ<<i  vfiN.ivv>:j(, 

Sim-jtiicn^  tt'rrc  ■)htvia»ni  (!••.«>  ?•.,»•„  Viiknii,  ,N'uiJUt»    .s!4  H;Uiil  ilii-lu»nr«. 

'I'lii^  <'liick;i  li'f   III*-!*)'*!!-.-  w»'Vt.'»-«l  ri(irttrtfterH  »1>    (5   .! '•  i.'U'iitiisIlj  |>»'>init  it  :r.  :  4- r,inlu'il  iix 
u.  Miiu'ly  i>c(!iiliaii-  to  thf  >'iiflir»   k»  .  .,.n,(.     ,\n  iftjdiftcH  r.i. .  .>!  ^jxsiiimnis  ir^>m  iiiHtki  'iliat«*  lortili 
lii'H  ;il<iiic  |.ii<vfiit.s  Till'  l«"">il  i.i.a*!<  ^  »  i>^stttiari*(»<t'«if  H«  i^i.«s«:!t.  iniiUM'ttil      Tlit»  f  \i  ii^iicu  at  liiiiic! 
sitiiii'fflv  wam^H  .'be  m-ioijiitji.ii     •    'he  iivi  »»)<  «  'un^-t*. 


V.l'.i.  r.Mn  <  ^■l?^^■n.;?  V ; '* f     ■> 

/'•■.'■«*   •('/**•/»«  A, li;t.  ?»•'<•   ?V  ♦.••»•;,. 

!,H.'..{.....  '■■(/  ><■>■  nibiruiM  V'H'.vw.*.    .«  .  r-- 

1,h7  1  .•—  ' 'n >'!■  •(  ■•  l've''Hii I  ■>iw'.vj»\ '.  '  ,'■  t 
l,s.<'.. — t'aiw  <-\iwtu.s  (/)■/. sMiv'MK  N  f." 


>    Cifcb.).     '*i'*^W»  *;*«*«'•'.      r^(  Pla*,'  X.! 
■-  -«Mlg«a.v.  Hull,  ^«lU  I'r  .  '"     !«:/.  j;  -iT 

".V'^.rf*-'- -a^'SHf.  U«»o«»»-    J.  I'    --. 


.\<(, 


iSt'Vt'iMl  sjw;r!Ui*'iis  ti'i  I'lirvn  wviv  i>!if  swrvi  p  r»*  vHCi'i^  f*>. vJjii^/  '     'i'    '<  M>r«»(i  liiviinv      Tti-y  /^ 
M  (•!♦'  i'-it'iU'<;  til  th'  .-^iHi'it  s  (  u(c/i(,s'.     (Shv  F.!i'      Stdi,  Oriii"!'  \*'itf'i'H   s^i   »  uy,  1H7.'<.  p.  ".7.       'llixt 
tl,c\   >liril.!(1   liSUC  i'crll  Kl'clliii  ii)  lllf  ^|iHi>'''  "ft'     ritu  wi  1  :.)•.;■'•'/ f;*)^-.    '  .i>-  I'tilov  i)IK  i>im|wiri»<'liS 

I'lwiii.i.s  lu  l-S7'^  I'ljrut:  rlin'lit.t  I'l'iDV  liml  ii.  <  i».  (•  <  (!i't(    n  t  •viid.n  v,(  '■-■.(•lit  ,\>iii'i'i<';in  biii.t" 
.\tiiini    IIk'   Mime  tinu-   isiy  •pi'iiiii'-ii.'^  wvn-   (ycisv-"'   at   tli     Srrith'.tit.'.i     'istitiition.     A  I'aru 
'(ihtailii'il  by  Mi-.  Miu'l'iiihinr  !it  h\<\\  Aiiili'r.-i<.iii,  /iiiii-i>nli  y 'I'l-i'i  itin>    •■■>riv,  'sfi ! ;  was  liusciMfr*-' . 
;hi!<);^4   t|"(   iliiJiiii'iitt'S  :U)<I  v\;i,-i  niitiscij  u'l'fly  ([<'t('iTiiiit'ii  .!>  be  'in»  >fiiii,r  .).■•  n-.'S. 

A  i'.i!.j|>ai'isi>n  of  iii>  -iiccnrii'M.s  with  l''iru«  (in'tm  Ji-iii' >  ..t }'.  mhii  i^-r--  iiMV.;  ,  <*(  Al  I'T.:.  f'pi  _. 
I..i;tlit(iiJ.  slic>'.\s  ;h;it  111'  A>ni..iHLui   siu'ci'iii'i!.-   isn-  !•  /   /'  •I'dn'w,  hu>   ■■:i'  -  ii(listili,';iri>'ml)ii'    'i"  n 

,".     .1/'  -,■>/<   '  '  Ui   ,   rt,-    !       'ft'lH'S'     ill    ^liOV.   ; 


0  :i 


ift' 

.).  »;  :           •■  -i< 

■   .xl 

._(.;*..■. 

':    t 

'.  (-•  1        ^.  .-i 

.•,»t 

.1')  .  

.    ilar. 

(i  <P  1       I.,  u; 

,'  ...i.. 

..  ilu 

.     .     M»r. 

IIS.V 

-  tvj 

-  -^•;ri~"iiv 

f'artt''--  ohirittm  '.' \l\. 


Nir.vO. 

.V.ii 

1.  ■>.■ 

1 1VS 

i"  »- 

1  411 

-  l.l 

NiiluU: 

XUi 

^^.•^ 

V  .« 

lit 

i  '-i 

a-,1    ... 

M»' 

Kf, 

t  ft* 

.-  »u 

,.  ..1 

s.i;iil  Miii.a  .1  ,< 

!■»!> 

iS7(i 

!l     !S 

i    (9 

1-1 

'.'    ;  .!ii 

.    M»r 

:  SVJ 

\!tli<iit;!i  ill''  -ibli'Ji  of  iiicasuiinK'iits  o«ii\  ■■  ••;it  -l<i:! !  v  ..»;-*■  liiiVfrfiu'i"  iH'Uif-fii  ilii' >:  (';'ii-y^ 
Uio  [).tiK.';n  ''I  '.•  iSiiintimi  wi'l  sln>«-  that  f'.  i  ('wvl-'.^  ;- 1*  ;iii  }  'i  ^.'iid,  t<.i).>,  ;imJ  b'u-k  ni"  (in-  ■  |li|',i't 
ur.iyiali-bi  >v' 1',  H.mA,  tight  t>iii-yi'<li.  raw  iiuibej.  !'»'■,  'liviT-f. -:  i/tvatar  ri\t>zi.n  vthjc  ,  u,;li 
'irownisli  ■->  liil<' ;  s.-i-inul, trios  i>iiy;iMl  wit  li  grayisb  ^laiNv  i/<'i»  v  hhiV  hruvvn.  >ivfii;.  aini  ^  l-'-i  of 
tit'ud.  v^Viit*',  <'li!i!  iiuii  (lirout,  Ki'iiis!  imnMi.  Urei-.*"  ai-,'*  :»u<itiiu*'!i,  v-Mj-u.  Hiilcsiuid  tl.-mk.*,  .»i|(!i<'li 
ochiaof'O'u.      hiKi'iuc  or  rliv  l.aplam!  .sjiHi'.iiUi'iis  tli'  ittfi  i.-'i  »'i<i<»i--. .tic  iii'U'li  iiit«ii.sifi>:'vl,  f.^p<;<;  iHn  «ii 


■■^P'"""""^^  ■?"»«!.       '.■•' 


mjmi  119.  ■  *WL^'i*aiM—     wiji.n  Wij"ifi"iiwn*»»  wwj^^»i'TW 


PLATE  X. 


^■ 


^^• 


^" 


^/\ 


I, Its  ftw*  LtBl*'"  "fliHru 


PARUS  HUDSONICUS  (Forst.) 
PARUS  CINCTUS  OBTECTUS  (Cab.) 


^itPWipPTWHiillW.'  wii|i|i»"iiw"j.H!Ji=  «i;V;^'""«»5",w» 


>'I|W.I9'H'VP|IV.»IIUIII)M  MIII.'V 


CONTKIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUHAF.  HIHTOUY  OK  ALASKA. 


183 


I'nruH  ohtevtUH  C!ah. 

r(>i'elit'H(l,to|iaiiil  hiickot'lit)ii<l,l)r(i\vniNti  ^'m.v.  Hackji^'lit  t'ii!>»iiH  f;ra.v.  Wiiif^H,  ilimk.v  hIuIo 
S('Cuii(liirieH(!()iiN|ii(;ii()iiHl,v  t'll^otl  with  whit)'.  Tail,]iiiiiiilM'oiiH'Mhttii;  <)iiti'rt'i>atii(U'Mf(l^re<l  with  |ial<tr 
))liiinU'ou.s.  Nfckantt  Hidi'Hol'  licati,  white.  Chin  and  throat  tnii^in<)nN(inNk\,N()inc<)t' tiit>  poHtiirior 
t«>atlM>is  of  the  throat  tipped  with  white.  Kieast  and  abdonieh,  wliite.  A  nai'niw,(lark,  t'lilif^inoiiN 
Htripe  iiuiN  t)iroii(>h  tlie  e.ve  anti  Heparate.s  the  wliito  of  the  uuiiuuiarH  from  the  color  of  tiiu  urown. 

Tliu  iris,  hill,  and  feet,  lilack. 

I'aruH  cinrtuH  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  northern  portions  of  Kiiro])u  and  western  Hibiria  as  far 
east  as  the  Yenisei  Uiver. 

rnrm  obtevtuK  is  found  throughout  tlie  eastern  portions  of  Siberia,  and  is  the  true  Siberian  form. 

This  species  (ohfrctiin)  is  not  abundant  in  the  known  portions  of  tiie  Yukon  Distritit.  It  is  a 
winter  resident  and  doubtless  bucds  theie.  A  sinjjie  specimen  was  obtained  (Vom  Saint  Michael's. 
The  Chickailees  visit  the  coast  onl.v  during  (avo; able  weather  in  winter.  1  have  never  seen  any 
species  in  the  viciidt.v  of  Saint  Michaers  dnrinn  ll  e  bieedin;;  season. 

The  siiecinien  jirocured  by  Mr.  MacrFarlane  was  a  female.  The  nest  ami  egjjs  of  this  individual 
were  also  securetl,  and  are  now  in  the  collection  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

740.  Tarus  HUDSONioi'H  Forst.     Hudxonum  Chivhidcc.    [Sec  Plate  X.] 

A  number  of  sitecimeiis  of  this  Chickadee  were  obtained  from  Fort  Yi  '(on,  Nulnto,  ami  8ev» 
eral  from  Saint  Michael's. 

It  visits  the  (!oast  only  during;  the  winter.  .May  2t»tli  was  the  latest  date  obtuiimd  at  Saint 
Michael's.  This  particular  bird  was  shot  while  it  was  anu)ng  a  straggling  clumi)  of  low  willows  uii 
the  edge  of  a  high  bank,  forming  the  outline  of  a  lake. 

The  iris,  feet,  and  bill  of  the  fresh  specimen  are  black. 

It  is  a  constant  resident  of  the  wooded  districts,  and  in  some  localities  is  cpiite  abundant.  It 
was  not  observed  out  of  the  Yukon  District  by  nu'. 

749    llKot'Lts  <!AiJ',Ni)t  LA  (Liuii.).    liuhij  vroiaml  K\»(iht. 

Specimens  of  the  Kuby-crowned  Kinglet  were  obtained  from  J'\)it  Yukon,  where  it  is  coin»non, 
breeding  there. 

This  bird  may  o(;cur  on  the  coast  of  the  Yukon  District,  although  1  have  not  seen  it. 

At  Kushagak,  on  Bristol  Bay,  I  saw  a  single  .si»ecimen  of  this  bird  Hitting  among  the  willow 
tliickets  which  skirt  the  banks  of  that  river.    Th^  date  was  June  28,  1878. 

757.  TxTKDUS  ALiciTic  Baird.     Oraycheelcd  Thrush. 

This  species  is  not  common  at  Saint  Miiihael's.  A  pair  were  observed.  Hitting  from  one  clump 
of  small  alders  to  another,  ju.st  back  of  the  Bedoubt.  They  flew  to  a  larger  jiatch,  where  I  obtained 
the  nuile.     The  feunile  took  flight  at  the  <lischarge  of  the  gun,  and  was  not  se<uired. 

This  species  breeds  in  this  vicinity,  but  I  failed  to  discover  the  nest  and  eggs. 

They  arrive  about  the  first  week  in  June.  I  have  no  date  of  dei)arture.  The  iris  and  upper 
mandible,  black ;  lower  mandible,  dark  anteriorly  and  lighter  at  base,  drying  very  pale.  Feet 
dark,  with  paler  soles,    (rape  yellow. 

This  8|)ecics  has  not  yet  l)een  detectetl  on  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

7.'>8rt.  TxTRDUS  iTSTULA'rrs  sv,Ai«soNi  (Cab.).     Olive-backed  Thrvsh. 
A  single  8|)ecinien  of  this  species  was  obtained  from  Fort  \ukon,  Alaska. 
It  ia  apparently  not  common  in  any  locality  and  probably  does  not  visit  the  coast  of  the  Yukon 
District. 

761.  Mebitla  migratoria  (Linn.).    American  Robin. 

The  8j)ecimensof  the  Robin  collected  by  me  were  obtained  from  Fort  Yukon,  where  it  is  quite 
common  and  breeds. 

It  arrives  there  during  the  lattei  twenty  days  of  May  and  remains  until  the  sharj)  frosts  of 
September.    1  obtained  no  specimens  from  other  jiarts  of  the  Yukon  District. 


184 


CONTBIBUTIONS  TO  TMH  NATURAL  IIIHTOIIY  OF  ALASKA. 


1  WHH  Ht  NiiHliiipik,  iifiir  tlie  river  ut  tliiit  iiitiiu>  ('tiipt.viiiK  into  Itristol  liii.v,  in  .Iiin*s  1H7H, 
wlierp  I  IiikI  a  f'<nv  lioiirs'  ImiitiiiK'  Aliont  two  inilfs  Ixn-k  of  IIk^  vIIIiiko  iIic  tiiiilMT  h('(;iim.  It  in 
II  scanty  jjiowtli  ot'sprncH.  many  of  tlic  trccN  iHolatcd.  Aionj;  llic  MtrcaiiiM  licnvy  K'owtl'N  "laldor 
I'orni  I'xttMiNiv*'  tliicl{ftH.  On  a))|)roa(-iiin(;  one  ol  tlif.sicluiiiiis  I  hi-anl  a  twittcrini;  of  an  iini<nown 
l)inl.  I  crept  np  Ntealtiiily,  hut  tlic  hiid  dartt-d  to  tiic  otluT  Hide  of  fiie  tliieket.  After  repeated 
triaiN  to  ^et  witliin  Mliootin)>  diNtanee,  and  foliowinK  it  over  two  rnileH,  I  tired  at  lonu  ran^je  and 
failed  to  ^et  the  l>ird.  What  it  was  1  jiave  no  knowledge.  It  looked  liki^  a  Uohin,  Itnt  niiieh  more 
active,  and  of  deeper  color.  Tiie  son;;,  whicii  was  iittere<l  incesHantly  when  not  on  tlit^  wiiijj,  did 
not  at  all  resemble  that  of  tiie  IColiln. 

The  Koltin  has  not  Iteen  detected  on  tlie  Aleutian  Islands,  althou^di  it  Is  reported  to  bo  nwn  an 
II  chance  visitoi'  during  the  mi^ratoiy  season  at  tiie  I'riliylof  Islands. 

7<l.'{.    HKSPKKOtUOIIt.A   N.KVIA  ((iincl.).       \'ilti<il  ThfHHh. 

One  Npeciuion  was  obtained  at  I'^oit  Yukon,  iVhiska,  Sept(>uiber  4,  lH7<i.  It  is  not  i)lentiful 
at  any  time,  A  second  specimen  was  bronuht  to  me  at  Haint  Mlcthael's  <ui  May  27,  IM77,  killed  by 
a  initive,  just  back  of  the  Redoubt,  anion;;  the  pali^hcs  of  alder.  It  was  far  advanced  in  di>i;ompo 
sition  when  I  saw  it,  and  found  it  impossible  to  even  save  tlii^  wind's  and  other  parts  for  idttntiflca 
tion,  else  than  on  the  s))ot. 

It  is  only  a  casual  visitor  to  the  coast,  and  apparently  not  abundant  anywhure  in  thu  Yukon 
District. 

This  Hpeciee  was  not  detected  on  any  of  th«  Aloutiau  Islands. 

LIST  OF  THi:  BIRDS  OF  ALASKA. 

The  following  list  contains  all  the  authentically  known  and  recognized  spctiios  of  Alaskan 
birds.  A  full  investigation  of  the  natural  history  of  the  Territory  will,  doubtless,  add  many  inimes 
of  birds  which  have  not  yet  been  dotecteil  within  its  border  and  iruiliided  waters. 

The  nomenclature  liert*  adopted  is  that  of  tiie  A.  <J.  U.  (Jlie(!k-list  of  North  American  Birds, 
18SU.  The  numbers  preceding  each  species  w  subsjiecies  correspond  with  the  numbers  in  that 
Check  list. 

Family  TODICIIMD^E.    Gueues. 

Genus  CoLVMBUS  Linmeus. 

2.  C0LYMHU8  HOLBCELLi  (Rciuh.)     UoUxkIVh  Orebe. 

3.  C0LYMBU8  AURiTUS  L:nn.     Horned  Grebe. 

Family  L^IINATORU)^}.    Loons. 
Genus  Urinatob  Cuvicr. 

7.  URINATOB  IMBEU  (Guui!.).     lAWn. 

8.  UaiNATOR  ADAMSII  (Gray).      Yellow-billed  Loon, 

!>.  Ubinatob  arotious  (Li;in.).     lilackthroated  lAwn. 

10.  Ubinator  paoificus  (Lawr.).     Pavijic  Loon, 

11.  Urinaxor  lumme  (Gunn.).     Bed  throated  Loon. 

Family  ALGII)^^    Ai;ks,  Mueres,  and  I'uffins. 

Geuns  LuNUA  Pallas. 

12.  LUNDA  OIRBHATA  Pall.      Tiift^d  Puffin. 

Genus  Fratercula  Brisson. 
14.  FbATEBOULA  COBNIOULATA  (Naum.).     Horned  Puffin. 


'^ 


OONTKIIJUTIONH  TO  T»K  NATUItAL  IIISTOIIY  OV  ALAt'KA. 

OoiiiiH  ('KBoKiiiNOA  lioiiaparto. 

15.  Obborhinoa  monoorrata  (Pull.).     RhinoceruH  Aukkt. 

(.)«1I11IM    I'TY<III(>UAMPHUH    Kmiult. 

16.  PTYOHORAMPnrS  AI,BITT(    'H  (I'llll.).      (laKHMH  Auklet. 

(loiiim  CYOi,oRKnYNCin;8  KiMip. 

17.  OYOLORRHYNrnuH  PHiTTAriTi.tii  (Piill.).     I'aroquet  Auklet. 

(leiniM  HiMoRilYNOHUB  Merr«in. 

18.  SiMOBHYNOHUS  fiRiSTATKLMis  (I'llll.).     (hented  Auklet. 
I!).  HiMORlIYNOiniH  PYOMvKtrs  ((iiiidl.).      W'hiHkvred  Auklet. 

20.  HlMOBHYNCIIl'M  PUHILU'S  (I'llll.).      I jMHt  Auklet. 

GeniiH  Synthmborhampiuib  Hmndt. 

21.  Synthlibobamphtih  ANTiytiua  ((hm-l.).     Andent  Murrelet. 

22.  Synthlibobamphits  wuMizrsiTMK  (Tcniin.).     Temminvk^H  Murrelet. 

(ItMiiiH  Braoiiyriiamphus  Brandt. 

23.  Brachyramphus  marmoratuh  (diiiwl.).     Marbled  Murrelet. 

24.  Bbaohybamphus  KiTTi.iTZU  Braiult.     Kittlitz'ii  Murrelet. 

(IciIUIH  CKPPHU8  PalhiH. 

28.  Oepphus  mandtii  (Liclit.).    MandCn  Ouillemnt. 

29.  OBPPHtis  OOLlTMBA  Pall.     PUieon  Guillemot. 

GciiUH  Uria  BriHsoii, 

.%o.  Ubta  tboile  oalipornioa  (Bryant).     (Jalifornia  Murre. 
31.  Uria  lomvia  arba  (I'all.).     PnlUin's  Mune. 

Famit.v  STKH(H)KAKlll).15.    Skuas  and  JiisoEBS. 

(icniis  Htkr<!()UARIU8  Bri.s8on. 

3fi.  STKRCORARtus  poMARiNi'.^  (Tt'iiiiii.).     I'omiirhic  Jivger. 

37.  Stkr(!orarius  PABAMiTicua  (Linn.).     I'araxitia  >l(r(jcr. 

38.  Stkrc'OHARIUS  i.(iNGi(!Ai'i)lia  (Vi«'ill.).     Ldikj  tailed  J<eger. 

Family  LAKIDtK.    Guixs  and  Terns. 
CtiMuiH  Gavia  Boie. 

39.  Gavia  alba  (Gumi.).     Ivory  Gull. 

Genus  RissA  Stephens. 

40a.  RissA  TRiDAOTYLA  poLLiCARis  Ri«lgw.     I'acific  Kittiicake. 
41.  RisSA  BREViROSTEis  (Brucli).     Hedlegged  Kittiicake. 

GennH  Labus  LiniifBUH. 

42i.  Labus  babboviannus  Hidfjw.      Wextern  Glaueom  Gull. 
44.  Labus  glaucescens  Nauui.     Glauiounirinyed  Gidl, 
46.  Labus  nelsoni  Hensh.    NeUciCs  Gull. 
S.  Mia.  165 24 


185 


186 


OONTIUBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUKAr;  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


11- 


48.  Labus  schistisagus  Stpjii.    Slaty-backed  Gull. 

52.  Larus  oachinnans  Pall.    Pallati'H  (lull. 

63.  Labus  oalifobnicus  Lawr.     California  (lull. 

55   Larus  brachyrhyncih  .  Uicli.    Slwrtbilled  Oull, 

Cft.  Labus  Philadelphia  ^Onl).     lionaparte'it  Gull 

Gf  JUH  Rhodostethia  Maggillivray. 

61.  Rhodostethia  rosea  (Maggil.).    Roh8^s  Gull, 

Genus  Xema  Lo>»<'''.. 

62.  Xema  sabinii  (Sab.).    Sabine's  Gull. 

Genus  Sterna  Liiniieus. 

7L  Stbbna  paradiSjEA  Brilnn.     Arctic  Tern. 
73.  ST3BNA  ALEUTICA  Baird.    Aleutian  Tern. 

Genua  Hydbochelidon  Boio. 

77.  Hydbochelidon  mora  surinamensis  (Ginel.).    Blade  Tern. 

Family  DIOMEDEIDJi.    Albatrosses. 

Genus  Diombdea  Jjinnaeus. 

81.  Diombdea  niobipes  Aud.    Black-footed  Albatrosn. 

82.  DiOMEDEA  ALBATEUS  Pall.    Short-tailed  Albatross. 

Family  PROCELLARIID^a.    Fulmar.s  and  Shearwaters. 
Genus  Fulmarus  Stephens. 

866.  Fulmarus  GLAcnAL's  glupisoua  Stejn.    Pimfic  Fulmar. 
86c.  FULJ.ARUS  GLACIALIS  BODGEUSII  (Ca:-^^).     Hoihirrs\s  Fuinuir. 

Genus  Puffinu,^  Biisson. 

96    1'U17"INUS  TENUIBOSTK13  (Temiii.).     Slender-billed  Shec  rater. 

Genus  -Estrelata  Bonaparte. 

100.  iSfiTPELATA  FiBHERi  Kidfjw.    Fislier's  Petrel. 

Genus  Oceanodroma  lleichenbaclj. 

105.  Oceanodroma  fukoata  (Gmel.).     Fork-tuii "d  Vetrel. 
106.1.  Oceanodroma  hoknuy  (Gih,v).    Hornuif..  I'ltnl. 

106.  Oceanodroma  leucorhoa  (Vj^iii.).    Leach's  I'ltrcl. 

Famil\  PHALACKOCOKaCID^.    Cormorants. 

(ieilUS    I'HALAOROCORAX   Bris8<    1. 

1206.  PhalacBv  CORAX  DILOPHUS  ciN'.iN  A'i'njs  (Htaudt).     White-crested  Cormorant. 

123.  PhalacrocorA'.  pei.A(;ici!.s  Pall.    Pelagh  ('onnoront. 

123«.  Phalacrocor  .X  pelagicus  robustuh  Kiilgw.     Violet-grten  Cormorant. 

124.  Phalacroooi  ax  I'RILK  (Gniel.).     Red fa,;ed  Cormorant. 

(t)       Phalachocob*x  perspicillatus  Pall.     Pallas^s  Cormorant. 


'W"*™'??!' 


129. 
130, 


131, 


132. 
135. 
136. 
137. 
[138, 
139. 
140. 


142. 


143. 


146. 

147. 
148. 
14!). 
150. 


lol. 
152. 


153. 


54. 


155. 


157. 


158. 


(CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  lIlSTOItY  OF  ALASKA. 

Family  ANATIDuE.    Duoks,  Geese,  and  Swans. 

Geiins  Merganser  Brisson. 

Merganser  americanus  (Oa.ss.).    American  Mergamtr. 
Merganser  serrator  (Linu.).    Bed  brecMted  Mergamer, 

Genus  Lophodytes  Reichenbach. 

LoPHODYTES  OUOULLATUS  (Liiin.).    Hooded  Mergamer. 

Genus  Anas  Linneeus. 

Anas  boschas  Iiinn.    Mallard. 
Anas  strepera  Linu.    Gadicall, 
Anas  penelope  Linn.     Widgeon. 
Anas  Americana  Gmel.     Raldpate. 
]  Anas  cuecoa  Linn.    European  Teal. 
Anas  carolinensis  (inieliu.     Green  winged  Teal. 
Anas  discors  Linu.    liluewinged  Teal. 

Genus  Spatula  Boie. 
Spatula  clypeata  (Linn.).    Shoveler. 

Genus  DAilLA  Stephens. 
Dafila  acuta  (Linu.).    Pintail. 

Genus  Aythya  Boie. 

Aythya  AMERICANA  (Eyt.).     Redhead, 

AYTUYA  VALLISNERIA  (VVils.).     ^unianhoek. 

Aythya  marila  nkarctica  Steji;.     Ameriean  Scaup  Jhtek. 

Aythya  akfinis  (Kyt.).    Leaser  Scaup  Ihivk. 

Aythya  collaris  (Douov.).    King-necked  Ihick. 

Genus  Glauceonetta  Stcjneger. 

Glaucionetta  clangula  amkrujana  (Boniip.).     American  Golden  eye. 
Glaucionetta  ISLANDIOA  (Guuil.).     Harrow's  Golden-eye. 

Geuus  Charxtonetta  Stejneger. 

Chabitonetta  albeola  (Linn.).     Ihtffle-head. 

Genus  Clangula  Lench. 

Clangula  uyemalks  (Linn.).    Ohlsquan-. 

Geinis  EliSTRloNicus  Lesson. 

illSTBiONicus  HiSTRioNlous  (Linu.).    Harlequin  Duck. 

Genus  Eniconetta  Gray. 

Eniconetta  stellebi  (Pall.).    Sleller's  Duck. 

Genus  Arctonktta  Gray. 

Abotonbtta  fischeei  (Brandt).    Spectacled  Eidm\ 


187 


188  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORl  OF  ALASKA. 

Genus  Somatebia  Leach. 

161.  Somatebia  v-nigba  Gray.    PaciM  Eider. 

162.  Somatebia  spectabilis  (Linn.).    King  Eider. 

Genus  Oidbmia  Fleming. 

163.  OlDEMiA  amebicana  8w.  &  Ricli.     American  Scoter. 

165.  OiDEMiA  DEGLANDi  Bonap.     White  winged  Scoter. 

166.  UlDEMlA  PEBSPICILLATA  (Linn,).     Siiff  ScoteT. 

GenuH  Chen  Boie. 

169.  Chen  hatebbobea  (Pall.).     LcHser  Suoic  Ooosi. 

170.  Chen  bossii  (Baird).    Rosses  Snow  Goone. 

Genus  Ansek  Brisson. 

171a,  Anseb  Albifeons  gambeli  (Ifartl.).     American  White-fronted  Goose. 

Genus  Branta  Scopoli. 

172.  Bkanta  canadensis  (Linn.).     Canada  Qoone. 

172a.  Bkanta  canadensis  hutohinsii  (Sw.  and  Kicli.).     Hutchins^s  Goone. 

1726.  Branta  canadensis  occidentai.is  (Bainl).     White-cheeked  Goo.se. 

172e.  Branta  canadensis  minima  KidKw.     Cockling  Goone. 

174.  Bbanta  nigeicans  (Lawr.).    Bla^k  Brant. 

Genus  Philacte  Bannister. 

176.  Philacte  canagica  (Sevast.).    Emperor  Goose. 

Genus  Olob  Wagler. 

180.  Olob  columbianits  (Ord).     U7(i,vfi  ng  S-  </h. 

181.  Olob  buccinator  (Kicli.).     Trumps  '.r    iwan. 

Family  ARDEIDJi;.    Herons,  Bittbbns,  etc. 
Genus  Abdea  Linn. 
194.  Abdea  hebodias  Linn.     Great  Blue  Heron. 

Family  GKinD^.    Ceanes. 
Genus  Geus  Pallas. 
205.  Gbus  canadensis  (Linn.).    Little  Brown  Crane. 

Family  KALLII)^.    Rails,  Gallinules,  and  Coots. 
Genus  Fulica  Linna'us. 
221.  Fu'.ica  AMERICANA  Gniel.      American  Coot. 

Family  PHALAHOPODU)^..    Phalabopes. 
Genus  Cbymophilus  Vieillot. 
122.  Cbymophilus  fulicarius  (Linn.).    lied  Phalarope. 

Genus  I'halaeopttr  Brisson. 
223.  Phalabopus  lobatus  (Linn.).    Northern  Phalarope. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


189 


Family  SOOLOPAOIDJS.    Snipes,  Sandpipers,  bto. 
Genus  Gallinago  Jjeach. 

230.  Gallinago  dblioata  (Ord).     Wilsonh  Snipe. 

Gtiiiiis  Mackobhamphus  Leacb. 

231.  Maoborhamphus  GiiiSEirs  (Gtiiel.).     Doiritcher. 

232.  Maoborhamphus  soolopaceus  (Say).    Long-hilled  Dowitcher. 

Genus  Tringa  Linuseua. 

234.  Tbinga  oanu'I'US  Linn.    Knot. 

235.  Tbinga  mariiima Briinn.    Purple  Sandpiper. 

236.  Tbinga  couesi  (Kidgw.).    Aleutian  Sandpiper. 

237.  Tbinga  ptilocnemis  Coues.     Pryhilof  Sandpiper. 

238.  Tringa  acuminata  (Horsf.).    Sharp-tailed  Sandpiper. 

239.  Tringa  maculata  Vieill.     Pectoral  Sandpiper. 

240.  Tbinga  kusoicollis  Vieill.     Wliite-rmnped  Sandpiper. 

241.  Tringa  bairdii  ('ones.     Rainrs  Sandpiper. 

242.  Tringa  minutilla  \'ieill.    Leant  Sandpiper. 
242.1.  Tbinga  damaoensis  (Horsf.).     Long-toed  Stint. 

243a.  Tbinga  alpina  pacipica  ((^oues).     Ped  backed  Sandpii)er. 
244.  Tbinga  perruginea  Biiiun.     Cnrlew  Sandpiper. 

Genus  Eurynorhynchus  Nilssoii. 

[245.]  EuRTNORHYNOHUS  PYGM^US  Liuu.     Sj)oon-bill  Sandpiper. 

Genus  Ereunetes  Illiger. 

246.  Ereunetes  pusillus  (Liuu.).     Semipahnated  Sandpiper. 

247.  Ereunetks  occidentalis  Lawr.    '  V/entern  Sandnper. 

Genus  Calidbis  Cuvier. 

248.  Calidbis  abenabia  (Linu.).    Sanderling. 

Genus  LiMOSA  Brissou. 

249.  LiMOSA  FEDOA  (Llun.).     Marbled  Godicit. 

250.  LiMOSA  LAPPONICA  BAI'EBI  (Niium.).     I'acijiv  Godicit. 

251.  LiMOSA  H^MASTiOA  (Liuii.).    HudHonian  Godicit. 

Genus  Kotanus  Beclistein. 

254.  ToTANl's  MEi,ANOLEi'(Uis  (Giiiel.).     Greater  Yetloir-legs. 

255.  TOTANUS  FLAVIPES  (Guiel.).     Yellow-tcgn. 

256.  ToTANUS  SOLITARU'S  (Wils.).     Solitary  Sandpiper. 

Genus  Heteraotitis  Stejueger. 
259.  Heteraotitis  incanus  (Giuel.).     Wandering  Tattler. 

Genus  Bartuamia  Lesson. 

261.  Bartbamia  longicauda  (Bechst.).     Bartramian  Sandpiper. 

Genus  Tbyngites  Cabanis. 

262.  Tbyngites  subbuficollis  (VieilL).    Bufbreagted  Sandpiper. 


h  ;  * 


!.  ^i 


■  ( 


I 


!rt  1^ 


iii 


190 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


Geuus  AcTiTis  Illiger. 
203.  AoTiTis  MACULARiA  (Liiiii.).    Spotted  Sandpiper. 

Genus  Numenius  Brisson. 

264.  Numenius  lonoirostbis  Wils.    Long  billed  Curlew. 
205.  Numenius  hudsonicits  Lath.    Hndsnnian  Curlew. 
260.  Numenius  bobealis  (Forst.).    Enkimo  Curletc. 
[208.]  Numenius  tahitiensis  (Gmel.).    Bristlethighed  Curlew. 

Family  OHARADRIID^.    Plovers. 

Genus  Vanellus  Brisson. 

[269.]  Vanellus  vanellus  (Linu.).    Lapwing. 

Genus  Oharadrius  Linnseus. 

270.  Oharadrius  squatarola  (Linn.).    Black-bellied  Plover. 

272.  C'nARADRius  dominicus  (Miill.).     American  Golden  Plover. 

272a.  Oharadrius    dominicus    fulvus  (Gmel.).     Pacijic  Golden  Plover. 

Genus  JiaiALiTis  Boie. 

274.  •^GiALlTis  semipalmata  (Bouap.;      Semipalmated  Plover. 
[276.]  iEGiALiTis  DUBiA  (Scop.).    Little  king  Plover. 
[279.]  iEGiALiTis  MONGOLA  (Pall.).     Mongolian  Plover. 

Family  APHRIZlDJi}.    Surf  Birds  and  Turnstones. 

Genus  Aphriza  Audubon. 

282.  Aphbiza  viboata  (Gmel.).     Surf  Bird. 

Genus  Abenaria  Brisson. 

283.  Arenaria  interpres  (Linn.).     Turnstone. 

284.  Arenaria  melanooephala  (Vig.).     Black  Turnstone. 

Family  ILEMATOI'ODlIhE.    Ovsteboatohkr^. 
Genus  U^ematopus  Linnieus. 
287.   Fi^MATOPue  bachmani  And.     Black  OysUrcatcher, 

Family  TETRAONID^E.    Grouse,  Partridges,  etc. 
Genus  Dendraoapus  Elliott. 

297a.  Oendragapus  obscurus  fulkjinosi'!S  Hid^w.     Sooty  Grouse. 
298.     Uendragapus  canadensis  (Liiiu.).     Canada  Grouse. 

Genus  Bonasa  Stepliens. 

3006.  BoNASA  UMBELLUS  UMBELLoiDES  (Dougl.),    Gray  Ruffed  Grouse. 


*Soe  CoiiPH,  Itirds  N.  \V.,  p.  4r)r);  mid  Fiiimli  Al)b.  Nat.  Ill,  ipiT'i, (W,  AliiHkii.  It  ih  cpiitu  )ir<ib»1>Ii>  that  tbo  H]>ecin8 
■■efei'rad  to  Hboiild  bo  ^E.  iiemij>atmata ;  ami  t'Hpi'cially  us  this  species  iiboimds  iu  that  regiou,  while  circumciiicta  is  au 
eastern  birtl. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 

Genus  Lagopus  Brisson. 

301.  Lagopus  LAGOPUS  (Linn.).     Willmr  Ptarmigan. 

302.  Lagopus  rupestris  {Gniel.).     Ruck  Ptarmigan. 

302b.  Lagopus  rupestris  nelsoni  Stejn.     N'elson''s  Ptarmigan. 
302c.  Lagopus  rupestris  atkhensis  (Turner).     Turner^s  Ptarmigan. 

Genus  Pemooetes  Baird. 

308.  Pediocetes  PHASiANELLUS  (Linn.).     Sharp-tailed  Orouse. 

Family  FALCONIDJi.    Vultures,  Falcons,  Hawks,  Eagles,  etc. 

Genus  Circus  Lac^pkle. 

331.  Circus  hudsonius  (Linn.).    Marsh  Hatck. 

Genus  Accipiter  Brlssou. 

332.  Accipiter  vrlox  (Wils.).    Sharp-shinned  Hatch. 

334.     ACCIPITKR  ATRICAPILLUS  (VV'ils.).     American  Goshawk. 

334n.  Accipiter  atricapillus  striatulus  Kidyw.     Western  Goshawk. 

Genus  Buteo  Cuvier. 

337^.  Buteo  BOREALIS  calurus  (Cass.).     Western  Red-tail. 
342.  Buteo  swainsoni  Bonap.     Sicainson's  Hawk. 

Genus  Archibuteo  Brebni. 

[347.]  Archibuteo  lagopus  (Briinn.).    Bough-legged  Hawk. 

347a.  Archibuteo  lagopu.s  SANCTUtmANNis  (Gmel.).    Ameriion  hough-legged  Hawk. 

Genus  Aquila  Brisson. 

340.  Aquila  chrysaetos  (Linn.).     Golden  Eagle. 

Genus  Hali^tus  Saviyuy. 

352.  IlALl^TUS  LEUCOOEPHALUS  (Liuu.).     Bald  j^agle. 

Genus  Falco  Linnietis. 

353.  Falco  ISLANDX'S  (IJiiiiiii.).     White  Ggrfalcon. 

354.  Falco  rusticolx's  (Linn.).     Gray  Gi/rfulcoii. 
354a.  Falco  kusticoli'.s  avRFALcwt  (Linn.).     Gijrfalron. 

356.  Falco  pkregrints  anatum  (lionap.).    Duck  Hawk. 
356a.  Falco  pkbeouinus  pkalki  Hidjiw.     Peah^s  Falcon. 

357.  Falco  coh'MBARU's  Linn..     Pigeon  Hawk. 

Sola.  Falco  coLVMBARius  sucKLKVi  Kidjjw.     Black  Merlin. 
300.  Falco  sparverius  Linn.    American  Sjiarrow  Hawk. 

Genus  Pandion  Saviguy. 
304.  Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  (Gnud.).    Atnerican  Osprey. 

Family  BUBONID/E.    Horned  Owls,  etc. 
Genus  Asio  Brisson. 
367.  Asio  AOCIPITRINUS  (Pall.).     Short-eared  Ihcl. 


191 


1^2 


CONTEIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUEAL  HISTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 


'If' 


\.4'' 


GeuuB  Ulula  Ouvier. 
270.  Ulula  oinebea  (G.nel.).     Great  Gray  Owl. 
\370a.]  Ulula  cinerea  lapponica  (Retz.).    Lapp  Owl. 

Gomis  Nyotala  Brehm. 
371.  Nyotala  tenomalmi  bichardsoni  (Bona,..).    Richardson^s  Owl. 

Genus  Meoasoops  Kaup. 
373d.  Meoasoops  asio  KENNiooTTri  (Elliott).    KenniooW,  Screech  Owl. 

Genus  Bubo  Cuvier. 

375ft.  BUBO  vmomiANUS  abctious  (Swains.).    Arctic  Horned  (hcl. 
3750.  Bubo  vieginianus  saturatus  Eidgw.    Dusky  Horned  Owl. 

Genus  Nyctea  Stephens. 
376.  Nyotea  nyotea  (Linn.).     Snotcy  Owl. 

Genus  Surnia  Dum^ril. 
[377.]  Surnia  ulula  (Linn.).    Hawk  Owl. 
377a.  Surnia  ULULA  CAPABOCH  (Miill.).    American  Hawk  Owl. 

Family  ALCKDINID^.    Kingfishers. 
Genus  Ceryle  Bole. 
390  Ceryle  alcyon  (Linn.).    Belted  KintjfiHher. 

Family  PIOID^.    Woodpeckers. 

Genns  DBYf)BATES  Boie. 

tu'n^ZT''''^^  ''''^'^''^''^  i^EUOOMELAS  (Bo<i,l.).     Northern  Hairy  Woodpecker 
•^'•i^-O^^OBATESVVB^samsiLmn.).    J)owHy  Woodpecker. 

Genns  Fiooides  Lac^pMe. 
401.  FicoiDES  AMERicANus  Brebnu    American  Threetoed  Woodpecker. 
4     ft'  VZZl  Zr'^"^'^'  ALA.OEK.,.  (Nels.).     Alaskan  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 
401ft.  Pi,,oiDLS  AMEBIOANU.S  DOKSALLs  Bainl.     Alpine  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

Genus  Colaptes  Swainson. 
412.  Colaptes  aubatus  (Linn.).     Flicker. 
■ma.  Colaptes  (;aeer  saturatiob  llitlf-w.    Northwestern  Flicker. 

Family  TEOCHILID^.    Hummingbirds. 
Genus  Trochilus  Linna'us. 
433.  Trochilus  bufus  Gmel.    Eu/ous  Hummingbird. 

Family  TYEANNIDJi.    Tyrant  Flycatchees. 
Genus  Sayobnis  Bonaparte. 
457.  SAyoBNis  SAYA  (Bonap.).    Say's  Phcebe. 


■mM 


.Tr"*:;r7?'",'fT»™*.  ""'"^I^ 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TUB  NATURAL  UlSTORY  OF  ALASKA. 

(Teiins  Empidonax  Cabiiiiis. 

4()4.  Empidonax  dikficilis  Hainl.     Baitd's  Flycatcher. 
4(iG.  Empidonax  pusillus  (Swains.).    Little  Flycatcher. 

Family  ALAUDID^E.    Larks. 
Genus  Otocobis  Liiiiiiuus. 
474«,  Otocobis  alpestbis  leucol^:ma  (Cones).    Pallid  Horned  Lark. 

Family  CORVlDJil.    Caowa,  Magpies,  Jays,  etc. 
Genus  Pica  Brissoii. 
475.    Pica  pica  hudsonica  (Sab.). 

Genus  Cyanocitta  Strickland. 
478.  Cyanocitta  stbllebi  (Gmel.).    Sfeller's  Jay. 

Genus  Pebisokeus  Bonaparte. 
4846.  Pebisobeus  canadensis  FITMIFKONS  Kidgw.     Alanl-an  Joy. 

Genus  CoBVUS  Linnieus. 

486.  CoBVUS  COBAX  siNUATUS  (Wagl.).    American  Raven. 
480.  CoBVUS  CAUBINUS  Baird.     Northicest  Crow. 

Genus  Picicoetus  Bonaparte. 
491.  PicioOBVUS  COLUMBIANUS  (Wils.).     GlarMs  mitcrackcr. 

Family  STUKNIDiE.    Stablings. 
Genus  Scolecophagus  Sw'ainson. 
509.  ScoLECOPHAGi's  CAEOLiNrs  (Miill.).    Rmty  Blackbird. 

Family  FKINGlLLIDiE.    Finches,  Spabeows,  etc. 
Genus  Pinicola  Vieillot. 
515.  Pinicola  enuclkatoe  (Linn.).    Pine  Oroshealc. 

Genus  Pyeehula  Brissou. 
[516.]  Pyebuula  cassini  (Baird).     Camn's  Bullfinch. 

Genus  LoxiA  Linnieus. 

.")21.  LoxiA  CUEVIEOSTEA  MiNOE  (Hrelim).    American  Crossbill 

522.  LoxiA  LEUCOPTEEA  (Gmel.).     White-winged  Crossbill. 

Genus  Leucosticte  Swainsou. 

523.  Leucosticte  geiskonucha  (Brandt).    Aleutian  Lemosticte. 

524rt.  Leucosticte  tephuocotis  littobalis  (Baird).    Hepburn's  Leucosticte. 

Genus  Acantiiis  Bechstein. 

527rt.  Acanthis  noRNEMANNii  ExiLiPBS  (Coues).    Hoary  Redpoll. 
5'JS.  Acantiiis  linakia  (Linn.).    Redpoll. 

528rt.  Acantiiis  linaeia  iiolb(ellii  (Brelun).    HolhivlVs  Redpoll, 
S.  Mis.  155 25 


193 


194 


OONTUIHUTIONS  TO  Til K  JJATUKAL  llIdTORYOF  ALASKA. 


li 


UlMinS  Pl,KOTIlOPHENAX  Sttyiiogw. 

'i'Si.  Pi.KOTBoiMlKNAX  NIVALIS  (Liiiii.).     ISnowflake. 

5.Urt.  I'LKOTROPHKNAX  NIVALIS  TOWNSKNDi  Uid{;w.     TownsernVx  Snowjlakc. 

535.  I'LKOTBOPHENAX  iiYi'EBBORKUS  Kidfjw.     McKdy^H  8nowfl(ike. 

Genus  Caloabius  Bechstciii. 

53«».  ('alcabhts  lapponicus  (Linn.).    Lapland  Longnpur. 
537.  Calcakius  PiOTUS  (Swains.).     SmiWs  Lonfiquir. 

Qenns  Ammodbamus  Swainson. 

5lL*.  AMMdDBAMUS  sANDWiciiENSis  (Gniel.).     Sandwich  Sparrow. 

Hi'Jh.  Ammodbamus  sanuwiohensis  alaudincs  (Bonap.).     Wentern  Savanna  Sparrow. 

Geuu8  ZoNOTBiGUiA  Swaiiison. 

5.">5.  ZoNOTBioiiiA  INTEUMEDIA  l{i«l{jw.    Intermediate  Sparrow. 
.■)57.  ZoNOTEiCHiA  CORONATA  (I'all.).     Goldencroicnc'd  Sparrow. 

Oenus  SpiZELLA  Bonaparte. 

.")5i»r.  Spizella  montioola  ocukacka  Browst.     Western  Tree  Sparrow. 
5(i().  Spizella  socialis  (Wils.).     Chipping  Sparrow. 

Genus  JuNCO  Wagler. 

567.  JUNCO  hyemalis  (Linn.).    Slate-colored  Junco. 

.567a.  Junco  hyemalis  obegonus  (Towns.).     Oregon  Junco. 

Genus  Melospiza  Bairtl. 

581/.  Melospiza  fasciata  bufina  (Bonap.).    Sooty  Song  Sparrow. 
582.  Melospiza  cinebea  (Gmel.).    Aleutian  Song  Sparrow. 
.583.  Melospiza  lincolni  (And.).    LincoWs  Sparrow. 

Genus  Passeeella  Swainaon. 

585.  Passebella  iliaca  (Men-.).    Fox  Sparrow. 

5S5a.  Passebella  iliaca  unalaschcensis  (Gmel.).     Townsend^n  Sparrow. 

Family  HIKUNDINIDJS.    Swallows. 
Genus  Petbochelidon  Cabanis. 

612.  Peteoohelidon  lunifeons  (Say.).    GHf  Sicallow. 

Genus  Chelidon  Forster. 

613.  Chelidon  ebyxheogastee  (Bodd.).    Barn  Swallow. 

Genus  Taohycineta  Cabanis. 

614.  Taohycineta  bicoloe  (Vieill.).     Tree  Sparrow. 

Genus  Clivicola  Forster. 
616.  Clivicola  ripaeia  (Linn.).    Bank  Swallow. 

Family  AMPBLID^.    Waxwings,  etc. 

Genus  Ampelis  Linnaeus. 
618.  Ampelis  gaeeulus  Linn.    Bohemian  Waxwing. 


CONTKIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTOltY  OF  ALASKA. 

Family  L.ANIID^E    Sukikes. 
GemiB  Lanitjh  LiiiDii'iiH. 
(i'21.  liANirs  BOBEALIS  Vieill.    Northern  Shrike. 

Family  MNIOTJLTll)^:.    AVooDWAUirLEKs. 
GemiH  IlELMiNTnoi'ini-A  Ifidgway. 

(iKI.  llELMiNTHOi'iiiLA  CELATA  (Snj).     Oumgevrouncd  Warbler. 

•>»()«.  HuLMiNTiioriiiLA  CELATA  LUTESCENs  (Kidgw.).    LuleMvent  Witrhler. 

Oeiins  Dendroic'A  (riay. 

052.  Dendroica  yESTIVA  (Giiii'l.).     Yellow  Warbler. 
Cmu.  Dendkou'A  couonata  (Liiiii.).     Myrtle  Warbler. 
(i«;i.  J)KNni{oiCA  STRIATA  (Foist.).     Blaekpoll  Warbler. 
(i(!.s.  Dendroica  townsenbi  (Niitl.).    Totemend^H  Warbhr. 

Genus  Seiukus  Swniuaoii. 

074.  Seivuus  aubooapillus  (Liiiii.).    Oven-bird. 

(175«.  Seiubtjs  nove«orA(!Ensis  notabilis  (Griiiii.).     GrinneWn  Waierthrmh. 

(iemis  Sylvania  Nuttall. 

(iS,').  Sylvania  pusili,a  CWiLs.).     Wihonh  Warbler. 

(iSiVf.  Sylvania  vush.la  pileolata  (Pall.).    Pileolated  Warbler. 

Family  MOTAGILLID^.    Wagtails. 
Genus  Motacilla  Liuniiiiis. 
|<l!»rij.  Motacilla  ocularis  Swiuh.    Swinhoe'n  Waytail. 

Genus  Budytes  Cuvier. 
()!»7.  Budytes  flavus  leucostbiatus  (Honi.).    Siberian  Yellow  Waytail. 

Genus  Anthus  Beclistein. 

»!97.  AN'1HI'.s  I'ENSILVANICX'S  (Latli.)-     American  Pipit. 
|(Ji)tt.J  Anthus  oervinus  (I'allas).     h'etllhroated  I'ipit. 

Family  CINCLID^.     Dippers. 

Genus  GiNCLXis  Beclistein. 

701.  (;iN(^Li'S  MEXiCANi'S  Swains.     American  Dipper. 

Family  TKOGLODYTID^.    Wkens,  Thrashers,  etc. 

Genus  Troglodytes  Vieillot. 

722a.  Troglodytes  hiemalis  pacieicvs  Baird.     Wenton  Wintir  Wreii. 
723.  Troglodytes  alascensis  Baiid.    Alaskan  Wren. 

Family  GERTHIIDJD.    Cbeepebs. 

Genus  Certhia  Linnaeus. 

72(i.  Gerthia  FAMiliabis  AMERICANA  (Bonap.).    Broun  Creeper. 


195 


'"vr^^ 


m  OONTBIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTOKY  OF  ALASKA. 

FAMILY   PARID^.     NUTHATCHKS  AND  TiTS. 

Gonus  Pabus  Linnmiis. 

'S;  IZ:  ™™  ™"  r™Z'"'"";f  .<"»"■'"'•  ""'■"•>"■'  »"■*"*'■ 

FAM,tV  STLVIIDA      WARm.EB,,   K,»„LEm,  KTO. 

QeuuB  Phyllopheustes  Ak-jor. 
747.  PnvLLoPSExrsTEs  bobealts  (B,a«.).    KennicoWs  WiUo.  WarMer. 

Genus  Regulits  Ouvicr. 

Family  TDRDII)^.    Thrushes,  etc. 
Genus  Tuedus  Linumus. 

.59.  Tuubus  AONALASCHK.E  G.ncl.    i>.r«,/ir„.  J/'?;:!;,,. 

Genus  Mebula  Leacli. 
76L  Mebula  miobatobia  (Linn.).    Amencan  Rohin. 

Genus  Hesperocichla  Baird. 
703.  Hespeeocichla  n^via  (Gmel.).     Varied  Thrush. 

,  Genus  Cyanecula  Brelini. 

1764.]  CYANECULA  suEcrcA  (Lin...).    Bedspotted  JUuethroaf. 

Genus  Saxicola  Beclistein. 
765.  Saxioola  cenanthe  (Linn.).     Wheatear. 


lam 


PART  VI -MAMMALS. 


Order  CETACEA.    Cetaceans. 
Family  DELrillNIDii;.    Tiik  Dolphins. 
Gl'iius  DELriiiNUS. 
Deh'HINUs  BAiRDii  Dall.    BainVs  Dolphin. 

Genus  Leuc'orh    .ipiuts. 
LEUCOiiilAMPiirs  noREALls  (ri'iile)  Gill.    liiijht-whnk  roryohe. 

Genus  LAOENORHYNcnrs. 

LAOENORnYNOHUS  OBLIQUIDENS  Gill,      mipi''  Dolphin. 

While  returning  from  Attn  Isliind  to  Unalaslika  I  observed,  in  the  vicinity  of  Anichi'tka  Island 
quite  a  number  of  Dolphins  sporting  about  the  vessel,  as  she  was  speedinfjat  a  lively  rate  over  the 
water.  These  creatures  were  only  about  eifjht  or  nine  feet  in  len^'th  ami  hiid  nunierons  markings, 
stripes  or  bars,  along  the  sides  and  throat.  Tlicse  markin;;s  wcic  two  or  lliree  indies  wide  and 
of  a  sulphur-yellow  color,  while  the  ba(!k  and  sides  were  bluish-black. 

Two  or  three  ]>ersons  on  the  vessel  de(;lared  they  had  seen  the  same  species  in  the  waters  of 
the  Japan  coast,  and  gave  the  name  Japan  Dolidiinsto  those  seen  near  Ainciii'tka.  I  do  not  know 
to  what  species  they  should  be  referred.  They  do  not,  however,  occur  about  the  easterti  Aleutian 
Islands. 

The  Aleuts  give  the  name  A  gamdkh  cMlh  to  a  .species  of  striped,  or  barred.  Dolphin  ;  but  to 
which  species  the  name  should  be  referred  1  was  not  able  to  determine  satisfactorily  to  myself. 

Genus  Orca. 
Orca  atra  Cope.     Paeific  Killer. 

The  "Killer"  Whale  is  very  abundant  in  the  waters  of  the  AhMitian  Islands  and  the  I'ribylof 
Group,  occurring  less  plentifiUly  in  the  more  northern  jjortions  of  Bering  Sea. 

At  Saint  JMiehael's  I  have  but  once  seen  them  in  the  small  bay ;  this  instance  occurring  when 
the  surface  of  the  water  was  covered  with  ice,  the  oidy  break  lieing  a  place  of  several  hniulred 
feet  in  length  and  only  a  few  rods  wide.  They  had  come  from  the  sea  ami  appeared  in  this 
opening.  They  remained  several  hours  and  apparently  disliked  to  dive  again  under  the  strip  of 
ice,  over  half  a  mile  in  width,  between  the  break  and  the  open  sea.  Many  of  the  natives  saw  these 
creatures,  but  would  not  attempt  their  capture,  asserting  that  the  "Killers"  would  cut  their  canoes 
in  two  with  their  fins  and  then  swallow  the  occupant  of  the  kaifik. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Saint  Paul's  and  Saint  George's  Islands  this  Dolphin  commits  great  depre- 
dations among  the  smaller  individuals  of  the  Fur  Seals,  repairing  to  those  islands  to  breed.  The 
Killer  is  certainly  most  numerous  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kyska  Island,  for,  on  the  north  of  that 

197 


198 


0ONTUIUUTION8  TO  THE  NATUBAL  HI8TOUY  OK  ALASKA, 


I 


i 


ialaiul,  mill  not  tun  niil(>H  i'roni  hIiofo,  I  Inivu  Noun  not  Iuhh  tinui  one  biintlretl  and  tlfty  inilividualH  at 
u  Hinglo  glancfl  over  tlio  Hurfant  of  tlio  water;  Home  of  tlieni  appearing;  to  liavo  a  length  of  not 
loNH  than  twenty  eight  feet. 

Near  the  recently  formed  iHhiinl,  HogiLslov,  1  witnenNed  Heveral  of  the.se  murine  out-tliroatH 
obasing  the  8ea-lionN.  One  of  Hie  DolpliiriM  seized  a  nearly  full-Rrown  female  Healion,  and  in  plain 
view,  for  the  creatnres  were  not  (llty  feel  from  the  vessel,  lying  in  a  ealni  and  l)nt  gently  moving  in 
the  Hlight  undnlationn  of  the  sea,  tore  the  lliroiit  from  the  hnge  lieast,  while  the  remainder  of  the 
Sea-lioim  wore  attempting  to  elamlier  npon  tla^  vessel,  wlii(;h  they  doulitless  mistook  for  a  rouk. 
One  of  the  "Killers  "attempted  tosei/eaiiother  Hea  lion,  hnt  just  at  that  moment  observed  the  vos- 
Bel,  and,  while  passing  under  her  stern,  reeeived  a  shot  Irom  a  ritle,  whieli  paraly/.ed  it.  The  ball 
unti^red  the  "  blowhole,"  and  a  spirt  of  blood  issued  .several  leet  high.  The  creature  sank  obli(iuely 
tbroueh  the  water.    The  muzzle  of  the  gun  was  certainly  not  more  than  six  feet  from  the  Dolphin. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Tigfilda  Islaiul  I  witues.sed  two  of  these  creatures  attacking  a  very  large 
Fiid)ack  Whale.  The  latter  was  n(>arl,v  exliausted  by  tlii>  iiersistent  and  impetuous  lunges  made 
npon  it  by  its  eiiennes.  The  sound  of  the  splash  made  by  the  attacking  Dolphins,  as  they  leaped 
entirely  out  of  the  watir  and  thinnlered  upon  the  body  of  their  |>i'ey,  could  be  heard  nnire  than 
half  a  mile.  It  is  not  an  unusal  occurrence  to  liiid  the  c.ar(!ass  of  some  one  of  the  larger  sjiecies 
of  the  cetaceans,  frequenting  the  Alaskan  waters,  with  the  throat  lorn  out  by  the  "  Killer,"  which 
is  said  spocially  to  relish  the  tongue  of  its  huge  victims;  the  remainder  of  the  body  otien  showing 
marks  of  the  contest  with  its  foes,  for  a  single  "  Iviller"  never  makes  the  attack,  usually  two  to 
seven  individuals  engage  in  the  struggle,  eutleavoring  to  cause  the  Whale  to  dive  and  be  thus 
l)revented  from  breathing,  thereby  the  sooner  becoming  exhausted,  as  the  merciless  foes  attack 
with  the  savage  ferocity  of  enraged  wolves. 

The  food  of  tlu^  "Killer"  is  susjiected  to  be  ()uite  varied  in  character,  for  it  is  frequently  seen 
following  the  schools  of  Surf  Smelts,  Uypomcxux  oliiUm  (Pall)  (lill,  which  occur  in  numbers  beyond 
calculation  near  the  sandy  shores  of  some  of  th(^  Aleutian  Islands.  Here  are  seen  single  "Killers", 
swimming  amongst  these  little  fishes;  and,  during  the  ai)pearance  of  those  Smelts,  was  the  only 
time  that  I  ever  saw  the  "  Killer"  lU'ur  the  shore. 

The  Aleuts  have  a  wholesome  dread  of  this  ])ol])hin.  They  relate  nnnierons  instances  where  a 
skin  canoe  has  been  upset  by  them  and  the  o(!cupant  devoured.  1  suspect,  however,  that  the  na- 
tive touched  a  hidden  rock,  while  attempting  to  discover  the  lociality  where  tln^  "  Killer"  ivould  le- 
appear,  and  that  the  misfortune  was  due  to  his  own  iuailverteuce.  Let  it  1)0  as  it  imiy,  the  Aleut 
of  the  present  day  betakes  himself  to  the  nearest  landing  place  on  discovering  the  jiroximity  of  an 
individual;  and,  wiien  safely  lamled  a<ldresses  it,  claiming  to  have  d(me  neither  it  nor  its  relations 
any  harm;  and  if  tin-  Killer  fears  to  attack  him  in  the  water  he  may  now  have  the  opportunity  lo 
come  out  on  land  and  try  its  strength  as  (li<l  its  ainu'stors,  which  vainly  contended  with  a  humuii 
chara(;ter  of  ancient  times,  in  which  the  then  amphibian  "Killer"  was  worsted,  and  has  since  that 
time  become  strictly  a  creature  of  the  water. 

I  had  but  little  opportunity  to  observe  this  sjiecies  from  November  to  the  following  May,  but 
am  led  to  conclude  that  the  various  species  of  Dolphins  do  not  remain  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sea-ice 
during  the  winter.  They  aiqiear  plentifully  about  the  Aleutian  Islands  by  the  last  of  Ajiril,  and 
probably  follow  the  retreating  ice  to  the  northward,  arriving  at  Saint  Michael'M  by  the  middle  of  May 
Their  breeding  habits  were  not  learned ;  although,  very  small  individuals  were  observed  as  early  as 
the  middle  of  June,  and  these  apiieared  well  alile  to  follow  the  adults. 

The  Alents  speak  of  the  Killer  as  Ag  li/iilc;  and,  to  another  species,  which  they  recognize,  they 
give  the  name  Ihn  gu  likh. 

I  have  seen  what  I  believed  to  be  two  specdes,  and  perhaps  three  species,  of  the  so-called 
"Killers,"  swimming  together,  all  moving  in  the  same  direction. 

.  Genus  Delpiiinapterus. 


I 


Delphinaptebus  catodon  (Linn6)  Gill,     White  Whale. 
The  White  Whale  is  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  more  northern  portions  of  Bering  Sea.     It 
is  more  littoral  in  its  habits  than  any  other  cetacean,  often  ascending  the  larger  fresh- water  streams 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  TIIK  NATUUAI,  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


1{)9 


for  !i  (liHtuiic.u  (>>'  ovor  a  liiiiiilifd  milcH.  Tlit^  Kiis.Miaii  H|ii>iikiii(;  |)o|iiilati()ii  i'<>fi-i'  to  tliJN  Wliali*  as 
tli<>  Itfluf/ii,  a  Word  wliirli  in  lU'opcrly  rt'l't-rabU'  In  a  hum'  m|m'cii'h  oI'  >SliirK«'oii,  and  by  noiihi  Mtraiinc 
iiiiHcoiiccptioii  tlii>  iiaiiif  lian  liccii  traimplaiitcd  anion);  tlic  AlaNkan  people,  and  will  forever  r<>niain. 
The  AleiitH  ^ive  the  name  Hd  tlnil.h  to  the  White  Whale,  while  the  mainland  Innnil  refer  to  it  li,v 
the  name  A'l  ll  liii/  ii'iil>  foi'  the  mor»^  northern  villaj,'eN,  ami  varionsly  npelled  wiinlH,  sne.li  aw  Sliriik 
and  Slirak  lor  the  middle  and  lower  villajres,  re,speetivt'ly. 

1  have  nevei'  seen  this  (treatnre  went  of  the  Aliawka  I'eninHula.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  nnnith 
of  the  KuNkokvim  River  and  northward  to  the  Ar('li<'  eirele  the  altnndanee  of  thcNe  WhaleH  \h  at 
times  alinoHt  incicdiMe  ;  yet,  where  this  year  they  nniy  ho  plcnfifui  they  may  lie  entirely  iilwent 
the  in'xt  Neason.     It  Im  a  eieature  of  very  erratic  hahitH  and  dispoNition. 

ThiH  Whale  ih  hi^'hly  prized  liy  the  maiidand  Ininiit  for  its  llesh,  oil  iitid  nkin.  They  eiiptnru 
it  in  the  early  spring;  as  it  appears,  anion);  the  last  of  the  liroKen  ice  lields,  aloii;;  the  Hhore.  The 
capture  ol  one  ot  these  individuals  is  a  source  of  ureat  praise  and  prollt  to  the  slayer;  and,  for 
his  portion  rectoives  tlie  head  and  Hkiii,  wliilo  tho  remainder  K<ies  to  the  vnritins  people  of  tho  uom- 
mnidty.     Not  a  few  are  taken  in  the  s(<al-nuts  s*'t  in  the  lat(^  fall  at  Saint  Michael's, 

The  natives  in  Ihi^  vicinity  of  Cape  ltnniiant/,of  are  niore  fortunate  than  those  either  north  of 
the  Yukon  River  or  south  of  the  Kuskokviiu  River,  for  here  tlit*  (Miuutry  is  so  low  that  the  spring;- 
tides  overflow  };reat  areas  of  the  low-jironnds  and  communicate  with  the  shallow  lagoons  and  lakes 
of  that  depressed  area,  lyin;;  near  the  sea  lictwccn  the  mouths  of  those  livers.  The  inhaliilants 
procure  fiieat  niimliers  of  these  Whales  as  they  rejiair  to  those  lakes  and  evidently  for^fet  to  go 
out  with  the  tide,  and  thus  fall  an  easy  prey  to  IIk^  spear  of  the  watchful  mitivc. 

'I'he  luiinit  of  the  souIIkmii  side  of  the  month  of  the  Knskokviin  l!i\er  are  noted  hunters  of 
these  Whales;  and,  the  more  readily  to  approach  them  they  paint  their  kaiiiks  with  a  whileish  day, 
found  in  that  vicinity,  in  order  to  rejiresent  u  jiicce  ol  tloating  ice,  and  thus  lie  less  liable  to  fri{;liten 
the  usually  wary  Reluna. 

In  the  months  of  .Iniie  and  July  thoyonnfr,  of  nearly  lihu'kish  blue  tioloi',  may  be  seen  olint^iiifj 
to  the  back  of  thc^  mother  as  she  slowly  (Mimes  to  the  surface  to  breathe. 

The  skill  of  the  Meluna  is  converted  into  (iovers  for  skin  boats  and  into  boot-soles;  but  is  not 
so  liijrhly  valued  as  the  skins  of  the  larjjer  species  of  seals,  for  the  reason  that  it  is  not  so  imper- 
vious to  water,  'i'he  blubber  is  cut  into  long,  narrow  strips  and  placed  within  the  stomach  of  either 
a  Seal  or  of  a  'White  AN'hale  itself.  It  is  hij^hly  jirlzcd  as  an  arti(!le  of  food,  and  is  worth  about  fifty 
per  cent,  more  than  the  same  (inantity  of  seal-oil.  The  flesh  is  very  dark  ami  full  of  blood,  whicih 
remains  in  the  distended  veins  tliniU);ii  lack  of  ]iro]ier  means  of  liletnlin);.  The  intestines  and 
larfjjer  f'ood-re(!eiila(!les  are  hifjhiy  valued  for  making;  sky-lijjht  covers  of  the  former  and  bags  for 
containing  oil  or  flesh  from  the  latter. 

I  have  oaten  the  tins  and  tails  of  these  Whales  an<l  found,  after  they  had  lain  in  a  strong  brine 
for  several  hours,  that  the  tasfe  was  not  disagreeable  when  fresh. 

Not  having  seen  one  of  the  ^\■|lite  Whales  south  of  Aliaska,  I  am  not  jiositiveto  wiiat  portion  of 
the  sea  they  go  when  the  northern  portions  are  covered  with  ice.  It  is  certain  that  they  do  not 
occur  about  the  western  Aleutian  Islands. 

The  food  of  the  White  Whale  consists  .if  the  smaller  species  of  marine  fish,  the  smaller  salmon 
being  consumed  in  great  ipiantiries.     I  am  not  aware  that  it  has  any  other  enemy  than  man. 

This  species  does  not  obtain  the  creamy-whit«^  skin  until  it  is  five  years  old.  The  newly-born 
young  are  about  thirty  to  forty  inches  in  length,  but  rapidly  increase  in  size  until  they  attain  a 
length  of  six  to  eight  feet,  and  theu  slowly  grow  to  a  maximnni  length  of  sixteen  feet. 

Genus  Monodon. 

MoNODON  MONOOEUOS  Linn6.    Narwhal. 
The  only  information  concerning  the  occurrence  of  the  Narwhal  on  the  Alaskan  sliore  are  the 
assertions  (more  jiropcrly  traditions)  of  a  large  creature  with  a  spear  sticking  from  its  head  ;  they 
do  not  now  occur  in  the  vicinity  of  the  coasts  'iihalilted  by  the  Maldnuit,  who  gave  the  information 
to  me.    They  even  had  no  name  that  I  thougl  t  was  reliable  for  this  creature. 


200 


OON'-ZP-IBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUBAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


fW 


I     IE 

1.   ,      ,    l»     ! 


Genus  I'nocM'.^A. 

Phoojena  V()MKK1]S\  (iii'..     California  Hnii  Forjioise.    (?)  I  .ioc.kna  communis. 

Tliis  small  r(>ri)oise  wsih  obsci-.^'il  'mly  ainoiij^r  Xho.  Aleutian  Islands  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Kadiak. 

In  Gaptain's  Harbor,  Unaiaslika  Island,  tliis  species  is  rather  coinnion.  1  have  never  seen  it 
singly  ;  usually  two  lo  seven  inilividuals  may  be  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  the  wliaif;  and,  on  two 
occasions  the;-e  IMifli'.^- ri;;s  ha  e  been  taken  o'l  hooks  bailed  for  codtish. 

The  ivre;;nlarily  of  theii'  appearanc"  jirevented  an  opportunity  to  study  their  general  habits. 

Tiie  Jxussians  jieaking  people  ai)))ly  the  name  urinlM  to  this  Torixiisc,  wliile  the  Aleuts  give  it 
the  name  of  .1  l<i  yikli  ;  and  to  another  small  Porpoise  they  give  the  name  An  giii  ijikh. 

Family  PHYSETERID.E.    Spkrji  Wiialks. 

Genu;,  PUYSETEB. 

PllVSETKU  MACKOCKPnAr.iis  Linnd.     .S/Jerw  Whale. 

\  saw  but  ii  siKgle  individnal  of  this  huge  Wlialeiu  the  Alaskan  waters. 

In  the  latter  part  of  August,  1S8(),  1  was  outs>ide  of  the  entrance  to  Chichagof  Harbor  at 
Atli;  bland.  Not  oOO  yards  olf  appeared  a  hug*'  8perm  Whale,  nndiing  directly  for  the  boat  iu 
^hich  i  was  silting.  In  a  few  miiintf-^  -Aw.  appeared  sithin  lilty  yards  and  present_<i  an  excellent 
opiH)i'tunity  lor  identilicarion.  This  individual  wascei  tainly  not  less  than  eighty  feci  in  length.  She 
jnissed  on  out  to  seaward,  while  the  natives  were  relating  that  in  former  times  the  Si)erm  Whale 
w  IS  a  fre(iuenl,  summer  visitor  to  the  Nearer  Group  of  Jslai^l.-^. 

In  the  midiile  of  July,  KSSl.asnnill  individnal  wis  stranded  on  the  est  side  of  Oajjtain's 
Ilarboi,  Uaalashka  IsI.iiki.  This  siteeimen  was  oidy  about  twenty  feet  ii  length,  and  so  far  ad- 
vaiK'ed  ill  decoieposi*'')!'  tha^  a  near  approach  was  impossible. 

Tl'  se  are  th>'only  instances  of  the  occurrence  of  this  species;  and  I  am  led  to  coiuilude  that 
it  is  now  only  an  oc(%ision:.l  visitor  during  the  later  summer  mouths. 

The  Aleuts  apply  the  term  Ar/ilid  gikh  to  the  Sperm  Whale. 

Family  ]}ALJiNID^E.    Wiialehonb  Whales. 

Geuus  Rhachianeotes  Cope. 

KHACHii.i<iiCTE.s  rrLvt'CLTS  Copi?     Cidi/orniii  Gnin  Whale. 
I  am  not  certain  that  I  ever  Si'v.-  this  largi    whale,  excejtting  on  one  oc(!asion  when  crossing 
the  iHHthern  portion  of  Diiimak  Pass,  in  the  eaily  part  of  June,  ISIS,  wheic  (jnite  a  luunber,  prob- 
ably a  dozen,  of  these  creatures  were  observed  at  KOU)e  distance,  slowly  making  their  way  into 
Bering  Sea. 

Genus  Megai'Tkua. 

MEttAPrERA  VEKSA  ULis  Copc.    II itm'>''inclc  Whale. 

'i'he  Humpback  is  (luite  plentifnl  in  the  waters  of  iieriug  Sea  and  to  the  south  of  the  Aleu. 
liau  I.slands.     Hs  extreme  iK>rlhern  range  is  not  known  to  me. 

From  the  latter  par*  of  April  to  the  last  of  October  many  in<lividuals  of  this  species  occur  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  I'nalashka  I.'. land  and  are  liunted  by  the  Aleuts.  The  killing  of  these 
Whales  was,  in  former  limes,  attended  with  interesting  ceremonies,  often  of  a  mysterious  significa- 
tion. The  whale  hunters  were  considered  as  the  great  men  of  the  \illage,  and  to  them  was  ])aid 
special  honors,  nol  oidy  while  living  but  also  after  death. 

At  the  [)i('sei\t  time  the  Aleutian  whalers  are  confined  to  the  islands  lying  eastward  of  and 
including  t'mnak.  At  Ilinliuk  but  two  or  three  persons  are  iu)w  living  who  ai<'  hardy  enough  to 
attack  this  large  creature.  In  fornu'r  years  the  Iwad  or  point  of  the  whale-spear  was  made  of 
slat«',  but  of  later  ,\cars  it  has  been  iliscarded,  and  the  point  is  shaped  from  a  portion  of  the  side 
of  a  beer  or  thick  wi'u'  bottle,  the  lormer  ii'ing  consideied  the  better  adapted,  as  the  glass  is  brittle 
and  .'oro  easily  tashioued  into  the  required  form  of  three  inches  to  four  inches  in  length,  and  hav 


Pi     i 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


201 


iug  a  broailtli  of  two  to  two  mid  a  Imlf  iiu^lics,  exclusive  of  the  neck,  by  which  it  is  afflxed,  by  meaus 
of  thoiigH,  to  the  shait  of  wood,  which  has  a  Iciif^th  of  six  to  cinlit  feet. 

The  hunter  nHiially  seh'ets  some  yoniitt  boy,  of  about  sixteen  years,  to  aeeoui])iiny  liiiu  on  the 
seach  for  these  ereatiiies.  A  two  holed  l<aiuk  is  nsed,  the  boy  actintf  as  tlie  jirciielliiig  jiower  when 
the  prey  is  sighted,  and  on  him  depends  much  of  tlie  sueei'ss  of  tlie  iiunter,  wlio  is  of  course  the 
teacher  of  the  boy  as  to  the  method  to  be  jjuisni"!.  !!'he  boy  obe,^s  implicitly  all  instructions;  and, 
as  the  quest  of  whales  is  attended  with  much  privation,  they  often  undergo  considerable  suffering 
before  one  is  struck. 

The  conditions  of  tlie  weather  are  noted,  for  ueilln  r  a  gale  nor  a  calm  is  ventured  in,  the  hitter 
enabling  the  Whale  to  observe  the  apjtroach  of  the  hunters,  while  a  gently  iindn  la  ting  sea  is  ineferred 
for  that  rei'son.  When  a  Whale  is  sighted  tln>  o('cii])aiils  of  tlie  canoe  aiij)roa<'h,  with  the  least  jiossi- 
ble  noise,  and  when  near  the  place,  where  the  Whiileisexjiccted  to  rise,  the  hunter  lays  asjde  lii.spiid- 
«lle  and  takes  his  speiirin  hand,  and  with  it  directs  the  boy  v.  !i-;  tv  tojirocecd.  As  soon  iis  the  Whale 
rises  the  hunter  liinnches  the  spear  int ,)  the  side  of  the  creature,  and  the  canoe  is  instantly  uiged 
backwardout  of  tliespl.ish  made  by  th  '  ,i  niige  of  the  Whale.  'I'he  motion  ol  itsbody  breaksdtl' the 
brittle  head  of  tlie  sjiear,  and  each  movement  of  the  victim  tends  to  drive  the  jiiece  of  glass  deeper 
into  its  tiesh  until  some  vital  spot  is  touched;  the  whale  tlien  sinks  to  the  bottom,  where  it  is 
supi>0Ked  to  remain  for  three  d;i>'s,  when  the  gases,  generated  by  deciiniiuisition,  cause  it  to  rise  to 
the  surface  and,  in  course  of  time,  is  drifted  to  the  shore,  i'ersoiis  are  sent  tVoni  the  villiige  to 
scan  the  sea  for  tli.  floating  carcass,  oi'  to  search  the  coves,  reefs,  and  bays  for  the  stranded  body. 

The  number  of  whales  procured  in  this  manner  nniy  amiMint,  at  lliiiliiik,  to  as  many  as  titteen 
in  a  single  summer.  In  the  summer  of  bSV'J  no  less  than  seventeen  weie  struck,  and  but  three 
became  available  to  the  jieople;  the  currents  and  winds  often  carrying  them  far  beyond  the  place 
where  struck. 

It  was  related  to  me  ti.at  a  whale  carcass  has  been  found  on  Fnalashka  Island  that  had  as]icar> 
head  sticking  in  it,  which  had  been  thrown  by  a  Kadiak  native  whaler;  and  the  body  had  drifted 
nearly  (iOO  miles  in  a  wes.-southwest  direction. 

When  the  carcass  of  a  cast  whale  is  foiiin'.  the  people  of  the  nearest  village  cease  all  other 
work  and  hasten  to  the  scene,  where  t!ie  blubber  and  llesh  is  (juickly  stripjied,  and  then  carried  to 
the  village,  when!  the  pieces  are  hung  up  to  dry  tbi  food. 

In  foinier  times  the  entire  Aleutian  iioiiulation  li\('d  to  :i  giciit  extent  on  the  llesh  and  blub- 
ber from  these  cieatuies;  but  of  lat»'  .\eais  their  time  is  so  niiicli  occupied  with  hunting  sea-otter-* 
and  seals  that  they  devote  but  little  lime  to  the  pursuit  of  them,  'i'iie  Atkhan  antl  Attn  people 
do  not  now  engage  in  the  chase  of  whales. 

I  have  heard  two  iiiinies  applied  to  the  largei' whales,  and  am  nrijiositive  to  which  siucies 
they  should  be  I'cl'iii'cd.      1  think  the  mime  of  Clii'  thiihli   lielongs  to  die  Humpback;  and  I  ijucs 
tiou  the  applicaiioii  of  the  name  Vhi  ka'kh  liiUh  to  the  I'inbacli. 

On  many  of  the  ishiiids  of  the  Aleutian  Chain  are  ancient  vilhijic  sites  still  sliowing  the  ar- 
rangement of  the  ribs  of  the  larger  cetaceans  having  been  employed  inst'ad  of  wood  to  support  the 
turf  sides  of  tlnir  IbiPier  dwellings.  On  Attn  Isiiiiid  I  saw  a  siiijih-  slab,  probably  cut  fioiii  the 
lower  jaw  of  aspeiiii  whale,  th:it  had  been  used  a  door  to  the  extrauce  ot  one  of  their  ancient 
houses.  The  slab  was  about  thirty  inches  wide  b.>  forty  inches  long,  and  nearly  two  IncheH  thick. 
It  required  two  men  to  carry  it. 

(5eniis  H\I,yHN(lPTKl^A. 

l}AI,^-N01'TKI?A  DAVinSONI  Scaill.      Fillhdd-    [Vllillf. 

There  are  certainly  two  species  of  Finba<'k  NN'hales  occurring  in  the  waters  abcait  the  Aleutian 
Islands  and  the  I'eninsuhi  of  Aliaska. 

Tiiere  is  <ronsideiable  dilleience  in  the  si/<'  of  the  two  spt'cies;  the  birger  one  being  more  fre- 
quently seen  on  the  south  side  of  the  islanils  and  the  peninsula,  while  the  smaller  is  plentiful  on 
the  n«)rth  side  during  May,  .Inne,  and  duly. 

Having  but  little  ojipoituiiity  to  observe  the  actions  of  the  two  siiecies,  I  iniisl  dismiss  them 
by  giving  an  Aleut  word  Clii  ha'kli  liihli,  as  ap]iliciible  to  one  of  llie  two  species  ol  Finbacks,  though 
I  am  not  certain  to  which  it  belongs. 
S.  aiis.  155 2G 


202 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


Genus  Sibbaldhis. 

SiBBALDiiis  VELiFKUTTS  (Copo).     Finback  Whale. 

Tliis  liirge  Fiiil)H(rk  Whale  (iccius  nuistly,  accoidiiif;-  to  my  own  ohscrvatiiiii,  on  the  south  sido 
of  tlic  Ak'iitian  Islands,  and  to  the  east  as  Car  as  Kadiak. 

An  occasional  individual  ia  cast  up  on  the  shores  of  the  eastern  islands  of  the  chain. 

The  Aleuts  do  not  attempt  toeai)tnre  either  of  the  species  ot  the  Finbacks  at  the  present  time, 
contenting  themselves  with  the  smaller  Humpback. 

SiBBALDiiTS  SULFUREITS  (Cope).    Sulphvr-lioftom  Whale. 

This  large  sjjecies  of  Whale  does  not  to  my  knowledge  occur  west  of  Tniinak  Pass.  The  only 
indi\idnal  ever  seen  by  me  was  one  near  Ui^  Island  of  l^kamfik,  to  the  west  of  Kadiak,  in  August, 
1881. 

(ienus  RaltIO.na. 

Bal^na  japonica  Gray.     Pacific  liUjht  Whnle. 
The  only  infoiuuition  i  have  of  the  occurrence  of  tiiis  species,  in  the  waters  here  included,  is 
from  hearsay  only.    1  have  had  no  oi)i)ortunity  of  observing  au  individual  which  I  thought  be- 
longed to  this  .speciies. 

Bal^;na  MYSTiCKTUS  Linn<'\    Jiouheatl. 
This  Arctic  sjjecies  of  whale  is  so  well  known  that  any  remarks  I  could  nmke  wotild  add  nothing 
to  the  history  of  this  much  soughtlbr  creature. 

Order  UNGULATA.    Ungulates. 

Family  CERVII)^.    Tup:  Deeks. 

Genus  Cervus. 

Cervus  canadensis  Erx.     American  Ell: 
It  is  somewhat  (|uestionable  whether  this  mammal  leally  occurs  in  the  region  here  included. 
My  only  infornuition,  concerning  its  occurrence,  is  derived  iroin  miners,  who  have  visited  the  south- 
east ])ortions  of  the  country. 

Genus  Alces. 

Alces  5IA0IILIS  (Linne)  Gray.  Moone. 
Within  the  jiast  lifty  years  this  huge  beast  has  become  quite  iilentiful  in  Alaska.  The  Yukon 
District  aiul  the  headwaters  of  the  Tauanli,  Knskokvini,  and  the  NushagAk  Rivers  are  the  ijceues 
of  abnndajice  of  Moose  at  all  seasons.  A  single  in(li\idual  was  killed  in  the  vicinity  .of  I'astolik, 
lu'ar  Sanit  Michaers,  in  the  early  winter  of  1870.  This  was  the  tirst  inslaiute  of  its  occurrence,  on 
the  seacoast,  north  of  the  Yukon  River. 

Ge-.ius  Rangifer. 

Rangifer  tarandus  (Liuu(?)  Gray. 

RANGIFEH    TARANDt'S   GRtEM-ANDU'l'S  (Kerr). 

At  the  present  writing  I  do  not  feel  warranted  in  sejiarating  the  Barren-ground  Reindeer  into 
two  species,  or  even  subspecies,  lor  the  distinctions  are  not  sutticiently  dill'erentiated  to  substantiate 
the  separation. 

'ihe  Baiien  ground  Reindeer  0(curs  i)lcntifully  thioughout  the  entire  ojien  area  of  the  broad 
territory  under  consideration. 

A  bmit  of  time  alone  prevents  me  from  giving  an  history  of  an  aniiri.\l  so  intimately  connected 
with  the  very  existence  of  the  people  dwelling  in  Alaska. 


B|A«».«tWMnmi 


■Wj!?j 


MHIi  «|i  "it' j11t*l 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


a03 


Rangifek  takandi'S  cakibou  (Kerr).     Woodland  Reindeer. 

Tin's  large  Reiiidicr  occms  most  iilciitiriilly  in  the  wooded  i)Oitioii8  ol  the  territory,  coiiiiiip;  on 
the  treeless  areas,  :ts  may  snit  its  convenience,  at  any  season. 

It  is  not  known  to  occnr  noilh  of  the  headwaters  of  the  Tai:ana  River,  bnt  is  plentiful  about 
the  interior  back  of  Bristol  Bay  and  thence  south. 

Family  BOVIDiB.    The  Cattle. 

Genus  OviBOS. 

OviBos  JiosciiATUS  Blainviile.     Mii.sk-o.v. 
There  is  no  positive  evidence  of  the  actual  occurrence  of  this  mammal  within  the  region  hero 
included;   but,  as  the  northern  Innit  and  Indians  are  so  well  acquainted  with  it,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  it  has  but  recently  disii]ppeare(l,  if  scattered  individuals  do  not  yet  inhabit  the  region 
northeast  of  the  Rumiantzof  Mountains  and  near  tiie  Arctic  coast. 

(icnus  Ovis. 

OviS  MONTANA  DAI.LI  Nelson.     DcdPs  Mountain  Sheep. 

F)  oni  the  material  now  in  the  National  Museum,  at  WashiHgton,  D.  (".,  there  is  suflicient  reason 
to  the  claim  being  valid  that  the  northern  Mountain  Sheep  is  entitled  to  rank  at  least  as  a  sub- 
species. It  is  more  than  probable  that  it  may  prove,  when  additional  information  is  obtained,  of 
specific  ran'c 

The  range  of  this  nnimmal  is  e\ en  to  the  low  hills  of  the  interior  lying  as  far  north  as  latitude 
sixty-eight,  i!i  this  extreme  range  approaching  quite  near  the  western  coast.  The  £outhern  limit 
has  not  yet  been  defined. 

ORDEii   RODENTIA. 

Family  SCIURID^.    The  Squikeels. 

Genus  Arctomys. 

Arctomys  pruinosus  Gmelin.    IT      ;/  Marmot. 

The  Hoary  Marmot  occurs  in  the  interior  of  the  region  along  the  tributaries  of  the  Yukon 
River;  and,  is  more  ]>lenliful  in  the  diier  areas  toward  the  southern  jjortion  of  the  Tananil  River, 
Kuskokvim  River,  and  the  rej;ion  cast  of  Lake  llyamna.  The  exact  range  of  this  rodent  is  not 
well  known.  The  skins  are  brought  in  for  trade,  but  as  they  possess  no  special  value  they  are 
not  mu(!h  sought  for. 

The  information,  concerning  its  habits,  v:ame  to  me  from  the  traders  only,  who  have  stations  in 
those  localities  mentioned. 

Genus  SrERMOPiitLUS. 
SPKRM'.ii'HiLt'K  EMPETRA  empetra  (Tall.)  Allen.     Parri/n  Spermophile. 
This  rodent  is  (piite  plentiful  in  the  region  about  Nulato  also  to  the  eastward  and  south.    Its 
exact  range  ami  habits  are  not  known  by  me. 

SPERMOPHiLUS  EMPETRA  KADiACENSii'  Alien.     Kttdiak  SpermopliHe. 
Originall.\  described  from  Kadiak,  this  siK'cics  has  a  range  greatly  beyond  that  island. 
Havi.xj;  no  opportunitj'  to  study  the  habits  of  the  rodents  in  the  country,  I  can  add  nothing 
that  is  not  already  known  concerning  the  larger  species. 

Genus  SciURiis. 

ScuuRUS  HUDSONius  HUDSONivs  (I'allns)  Allen.    JJitdsonian  Squirrel. 
1  am  not  positive  that  the  Squirrel  obtained  by  me  from  the  wooded  portions  at  the  Yukon 
district  sh'-^Ud  be  referred  to  this  species. 


204 


t'ONSHlHUTlONS  TO  THK  NATURAL  FHSTOHY  OF  ALASKA. 


GcniiK  S(!iuu<)r'X'ERi's. 

ScirHOi'TKia  s  volttki,!  a  in  DHONirs  (Giiiflin)  Allen.    A'orthn-n  Flying  l^qvirrcl. 
Not  linviii^  Keen  an  individual  (if  iIiih  H]u>(;i(>M  in  Alaskii,  nnd  m.v  int'oiniation  being  only  from 
hearsay,  ;\et  HiifUcientlv  (instwoitli.v  to  lielieve,  thai  a  siitcieis  of  FJxin};  S(|ainel   oeeurH  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  Ku.>-lia};ak  and  t'ook's  Inlet  refiions,  I  can  Iml  doubtfully  refer  it  to  tbis  siieciea 

Family  (JAST0H11)J5.    Tiik  Hkaykus. 
(ienuN  Castok. 
TAt^TOK  FiBEK  (Liuut'').     llcani: 
The  Heaver  is  generally  distributed  over  all  the  mainland  of  Alaska,  excepting  the  imnie- 
diatf  coast  and  the  more  mountainous  portions  IVoni  latitude  sixty-seven  to  the  extreme  north- 
ern jioitinn. 

The  number  of  Beaver  is  said  to  be  rai)i(lly  diminishing;  not  only  by  the  persecution  by  man, 
but  Irom  other  causes  not  well  undt  i>'(i<i(l.  There  iieing  less  demand  than  formerly  nuiy,  per- 
haps, allow  this  inijiortant,  fur-bearing  /uamnial  to  regain  its  wonted  abundance. 

Family  MUKID^E.    Thk  IMice. 
fieuus  Fiber. 
Fiuki;  ziBiTHEri's  (Linne)  Cuvier.    MusJcrat. 
This  mammal  has  a  range  ever  all  the  regit)n  of  the  mainland  south  of  latitude  sixty-eight.     It 
is  exlraoriliiaiily  abundant  in  the  marshy  tracts  of  tin'  mainland  between  latitude  sixty-four  and 
fifty-nine,  esi)ecially  so  between  the  Yukon  and  Nushagak  rivers.    Its  habits  are  so  well  known 
that  they  need  not  be  repeated. 

Genna  CuNicuLUS. 
Cl'NicrLi's  TORQrATtTS  (Pall.)  Cones.     ^Yhite  Lemming. 
This  Lemming  occurs  in  the  northern  portions  only,  that  I  am  aware  of,  from  theshoresof  the 
Arctic  Ocean  to  latitude  aixty. 

It  cannot  be  said  to  occur  plentifully  in  any  particular  portion  of  the  region ;  scattered  individ- 
uals were  all  that  I  ever  saw  ;  and,  .is  they  aic  mori'  readily  ])ei'ceived  in  the  late  fiiH.  when  they 
have  assumed  their  silky  coat  of  jiure  white  fur,  their  habits  could  not  be  ascertained. 

When  in  this  condition  the  Innuit  gi\e  them  the  name  Ki  Jiu/myii  iiiJ:,  or  inhabitants  of  the 
upper  regions ;  for  those  people  stout'y  maintain  that  these  creatures  drop  from  the  bky  during  a 
snowfall. 

Genus  Myodks. 

Myodes  obensls  lirandt.     Tmrny  Lemming. 
This  species  has  a  much  greater  range  than  the  white  species,  occurring  throughtnit  tin  nniin- 
land  of  northern  North  America. 

It  is,  according  to  n>y  own  experience,  much  more  plentiful  than  the  White  Lemming.  Its 
habits  were  not  well  asctertained.  This  and  the  preceding  s])ecies  are  the  well-known  "Deer- 
footed  Mice"  of  the  traders  in  the  northern  regions;  tlie  delusion  arising  from  the  tieculiar  pro- 
cesses ajipearing  fin  the  claws  of  the  forefeet,  and  which  are  deciduous  as  soon  as  tl.c  sr.ow  melts 
in  the  sjiring. 

Of  the  smallei'  Muri<la'  the  following  genera  and  s]iecii>s  are  known  to  oc<Mir  wilhin  the  terri- 
tory ;  but  as  they  are  of  no  s])ecial  importance  merely  a  list  of  them  will  be  given; 
Synaptomys  codPEKi  Baird. 
EVOTOMYS  RtiTiLT'S  (Pall.)  Coues. 
Aevicola  Rii'AUiiis  BOREALTS  (Rich.)  Coues. 

AaVICOLA  XANIHOONATIM  S  Leacll 

Hesperomys  LEt  ropi'ssoNOKiENJiis  (Le  Coiite)  Coues. 
All  of  which  occur  on  the  mainland. 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATUEAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


205 


Family  HYSTRIOID^.    roRoiiriNES. 
Genus  Ebkthrizon. 
EiiETHRizoN  noRSATUS  KPixANTHUS  (Bnindt)  Allen. 

This  si)e<'ie8  occurs  on  tlie  niainhuid,  from  tlic  Arctic  circle  to  the  southern  limits  of  the  region, 
and  is  occasionsilly  found  on  tlie  extreme  western  end  of  Aliaska.  To  thissjiecie.'  has  been  given 
tlie  nama  Kiinil;  a  word  of  Aleutian  origin  and  now  transplanted  among  the  people  of  the  main- 
land of  AJaslva.    The  Russian  name  is,  however,  (juite  different.    Tlie  Innuit  name  is  I  Uin  ku  chuk. 

Family  LEP0R1D^5.    The  Hares. 

Genus  Lepus. 

Lepus  timidus  Limit?.     Polar  Hare. 

Occurs  most  plentifully  about  the  treeless  areas,  and  prefers  the  dreary  coast  to  the  interior. 

Lepus  amebioantjs  amebicanus  (Erx.)  Allen.  Northern  Varying  Hare. 
Very  plentiful  throughout  the  wooded  and  bushy  po^-tions  of  the  region.  It  seldom  wanders 
on  the  barren  areas.  Roth  species  of  hares  are  confined  to  the  mainland,  excepting  the  Polar 
Hare,  which  is  often  found  (ni  Unimak  Island,  to  which  it  travels  on  the  ice  formed  over  "False" 
Pass.  The  smaller  Hare  does  not  occur  on  the  western  jiortion  of  Aliaska,  hence  does  not  reach 
any  of  the  Aleutian  Islands. 


Ordkr  (JHIROPTERA.     Bats. 
Family  VESPKRTILIONIDiE.    True  Bats. 
Genus  (?) 

A  species  of  Bat  is  asserted  to  be  quite  plentiful  on  Kadiak  Island,  and  ranges  in  summer  as 
far  north  as  Fort  Yukon  and  Nuli^to. 

To  what  genus  it  should  be  referred  I  shall  not  attempt  to  decide,  as  a  specimen  uever  came 
into  my  possession  while  I  was  in  the  Territory. 

Order  INSECTIVORA.     Insectivores. 

Family  SORIOIDiK.    Shrews. 

Genus  SoBBX. 

SoREX  FORSTERi  Richardsou      Forster^s  Shrew. 

This  little  creature  apparently  ranges  throughout  the  territory,  from  the  Arctic  Ocean  to  tho 
southern  limits. 

SoREX  cooPERi  Bachman.     Gooper^s  Shrew. 

(?)  SOREX   SPHAGNICOLA   Coues. 

A  species  of  Shrew  was  collected  at  Saint  Michael's,  but  has  been  mislaid,  ;vu)  i  ho  determina- 
tion of  these  insignificant  creatures  is  tooditficult  to  be  attempted  without  greal  st  'dy  and  sufficiency 
of  material  for  comparison.  A  species  of  Shrew  oc(!urs  uear  the  largt^  lake  at  the  head  of  the  spit 
on  which  Iliuliuk  village  is  built.  Specimens  were  not  preserved,  so  that  it  is  impossible  to  refer 
it  to  any  genus  or  sjx'cies. 

Before  dismissing  the  rodents,  it  may  be  well  to  state  that  no  species  of  mouse,  rat,  or  slirew 
occurs  on  the  extreme  western  islands  of  the  Aleutian  Chain.  A  number  of  the  common  house 
mouse  and  rat  are  to  be  found  on  Atklia  and  to  the  eastward.  The  rats  on  Atkha  are  very  large 
and  extremely  vicious,  often  contending  the  p.athway  near  the  rocks,  which  shelter  them  from  the 
attacks  of  foxes  and  birds  of  prey. 


206  CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 

Order  CARNIVORA.    Flesh-Eaters. 

Family  OTARIIDiE.    Eared  Seals. 

Genns  Eumetopias. 

-  Eumetopias  iSTELLEni  (Lesson)  rotors.    Korihern  Sea-Lion. 
Too  well  known  to  nood  disoussion  in  tliis  ooniioction.    Its  range  extending  to  latitude  sixty- 
five  degrees  north  ;  liere,  liowever,  merely  stragglers  occur,  being,  doulitiess,  the  males  worsted 
on  the  hauliug-grounds  farther  south,  and  the  barren  females  driven  from  those  places. 

Genus  Calloriiinus. 

CALLORUiNxrs  UBSiNi'S  (Linn(^)  Gray.  Fvr  Seal;  Alaslan  Fur  Seal. 
Bering  Sea,  from  latitude  sixty  south  into  the  Paciflc  Ocean.  Migratory  only  into  Bering  Sea 
This  sjiecios  has  boon  .soaceurateiy  described  by  Mr.  II.  AV.  Elliott*  that  i'uitlior  comment  upon  the 
creature  would  be  useless.  In  the  spiing  of  187;i  a  scarred  male  Fur  Seal  was  killed  in  Tebenkof 
Cove,  a  couple  of  miles  southwest  of  St.  Michael's  Redoubt.  The  individual  was  so  exhausted, 
from  his  wounds  and  journey,  that  he  made  no  attempt  to  escape  when  approached. 

Family  PHOCIl)^..    Hair  Seals. 

Genns  Phoca. 

Pno(!A  7i'fULiNA  Liuu^.    Harbor  Seal. 
The  entire  coast  '"'le  and  Aleutian  Islands  are  frequented  by  this  small  species,  which  is  highly 
prized  by  all  the  inhabitants. 

Phoca  grcenlandica  Fabr.    Harp  Seal. 
All  the  Arctic  shore,  Bering  Sea,  and  among  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

Phoca  fcetida  Fabr.     Ringed  Seal, 
fr,'    tdo  same  range  as  the  preceding,  but  dis[)ose(l  to  be  more  plentiful  in  the  northern  and 
inia^lle  portions  of  its  range. 

PIIOCA  FASCIATA  Zimmerman.    Ribbon  Seal. 
This  species  is  confined  to  the  eastern  portion  of  Bering  Sea,  having  its  center  of  abundance, 
80  far  as  is  known,  in  the  vicinity  of  Nunfvak  Island. 

Genus  Erignathus. 

Erignathus  BARBatx^s  (Fabr.)  Gill.     Squareflpper  Seal;  Bearded  Seal. 
Most  i)lentiful  in  the  eastern  and  nortliern  jiortious  of  Hering  Sea.     Among  all  the  Aleutian 
Islands  is  not  so  plendful  as  is  reported  to  have  been  in  former  years. 

Family  UKSIDJ<].    The  Bears. 

Genus  Ursis. 

Ursus  AMERICANUS  Pallas.     Tihtil:  Bear. 
The  Black  Bear  ranges  thiouijliout  the  wooded  i)ortions  of  Alaska.     It  is  very  i)lentiful  in 
certain  tracts  along  the  Yukon  vulley,  Kuskokvim  River,  Nnshagak  River,  and  thence  southward 
and  interior. 


*A  inoiiiiKrnpli  of  tlio  Si'al  IslamlH  .if  Alaskii.      Siprci.il   Hiillrtin   l*(i.     Rcpriiitid,  with  mlilitions,  frotn  tl'O 
report  ou  the  Fishery  luduHtries  of  the  Tenth  Coiimuh.     WMahiiigtoii :  Guvf  niiiii'iii  Priiitiug  ODicu,  IrliU, 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  ALASKA. 


207 


Ursus  noKRiBlLis  Old.     Grizxhj  Bmr. 

As  I  Lave  not  seen  an  undoubted  individual  of  this  beast  within  the  territory  I  can  ohly  give 
the  assertions  of  others  who  have  des(!ril)e<l  an  immense  bear  from  the  interior  ahjng  the  "south- 
eajstern  jmrtions  of  the  Yukon  River. 

From  the  description  1  should  conclude  that  the  Grizzly  Hear  was  referred  to.  Along  that 
river  the  creature  referred  to  ventures  nearly  to  the  Arctic  circle. 

Uksus  richardsoni  And.  &  Uacli.     Barrengrovnd  Bear. 
As  the  name  indicates,  this  species  is  conlined  to  the  treeless  areas  of  the  territory.     It  is  sufH- 
ciently  |)lentiful  for  all  purposes;  having  its  eeiiter  of  abundance  on  the  area  aboiit  the  eastern 
end  of  Aliiiska,  although  ranging  to  the  extreme  northern  land.     It  occurs  on  Unimak,  the  eastern 
Aleutian  island. 

The  largest  skin  of  a  wild  beast  that  1  ever  saw  was  taken  from  a  huge  male  of  this  species 
killed  withiu  a  few  hundred  yards  of  Pastolik,  near  the  Yukon  Delta. 

Family  ODOBiENID^.    Walruses. 
Genus  Odob^nus. 
Odob^nfs  OBESfs  (111.)  Allen,    radfw  Wahtis. 
Bering  Sea,  riirely  descending  south  of  the  Aleutian  Islaiuls.     Formerly  had  a  greater  south- 
eru  range.     N.)w  restricted  to  the  northern  portions  of  the  Pacific.     Occurs  very  rarely  among  the 
Aleutian  Islands.     A  two-year  old  male  was  killed  on  Attn  Island  in  SeiitembeV,  IS.SO. 

Family  PROCYONIDJi.    Raccoons. 
Gen.     P»0(!VON. 


Procyon  ldtor  (LinuiS)  Storr. 

I  have  heard,  on  what  I  consider  ,  el 

south  portions  of  the  Alaskan  niainhii,(i, 


•WIK. 


•iority,  that  the  Rjiccoou  is  not  uncommon  iu  the 


Family  MUSTILlDJi;.    Weasels. 
Genus  Fnhydris. 
Enhydris  lutris  (Linnet)  DeKay.     Sea  Otter. 

Occurs  now  only  in  south  Bering  Sea  and  North  Pacitic  Ocean.     Most  plentiful  between 
latitudes  fifty  six  and  fifty  north. 

Genus  Lutra. 

LUTRA  CANADENSIS  (Turtou)  F.  Cuv.     North  American  Otter. 
Entire  mainland  of  Alaska  south  of  latitude  sixty-eight. 

Lutba  FELiNA  Molina.     Chinchimeii. 
This  species  is  supposed  to  occur  in  the  southfjj  n  portions  of  the  Alaskan  maiulaud  only. 

Genus  Gulo. 

GULO  luscus  (Linu6)  Sabine.     Wolverine. 

All  the  mainland  of  Alaska  ;  more  plentiful  near  me  wooded  areas. 

Genus  Putorius. 

PUTOEius  VISON  (Schreber)  Gapper.    American  MinJc. 

All  the  mainland  of  Alaska  south  of  latitude  sixty-eight.    Very  abundant  on  certain  marshy 
areas  of  mid  !  j  Alaska. 


208 


CONTRIBUTIONS  TO  THE  NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  ALASKA. 


1,1 1  ,,M 


if 


t  i 


r.H 


PuTOBius  vxTLaABis  Liiiiid.    Least  Weanel. 
All  the  maiiilHiid  of  Alauka. 

PuTOBius  EBMINEA  (Linn^)  Griffith.    Ermine;  Stoat. 
Tlii»  specieB  has  th«  same  range  as  the  i)rece<ling. 

Gemis  MusTELA. 

MusTELA  PENNANTi  Erxlebeii.    Pehtn  ;  VenmnCs  Marten ;  Fisher. 
Occurs  sparingly  in  the  upper  Yukon  Valley  ;  rather  more  abundant  in  the  heavier  timbered 
regions  to  the  south. 

MuSTELA  AMEBiCANA  Turton.    Marten  ;  American  Sable. 
Very  i)leutiful  in  the  wooded  areas;  occasionally  venturing  to  the  rocky, barren  tracts  of  the 
mainland  only. 

Family  OANID^.    The  Dogs. 

Genus  Vulpes. 

VuLPES  FULVCS  FULVrs  (Desmarcst).     Red  Fox. 
All  the  mainland,  excepting  the  immediate  north  coast;  Saint  Lawrence  Island;  Aleutian 
Islands  as  far  west  as  Umnak. 

VuLPES  FULVUS  AEOENTATUS  (Shaw)  Aud.  and  Bach.     Silver  Fox  ;  Black  Fox. 
All  of  Alaska,  excepting  the  extreme  western  Aleutian   Islands,  Pribylof  Group  and  Saint 
Maihew's  Island. 

VuLPES  FULVUS  hecussatus  (Desm.).     Gross  Fox. 
.ill  of  Alaska,  excepting  certain  islands  to  the  extreme  west  of  the  chain,  the  Pribylof  Group 
and  (t)  Saint  Mathew's. 

Vulpes  LAGOPUS  (Linnd)  Gray.  White  Fox;  Arctic  Fox;  including  the  Blue  Fox. 
The  White  Fox  occurs  only  in  the  more  northern  portions  of  the  mainland;  occasionally  car- 
ried to  the  more  northern  islands  of  Bering  Sea  by  means  of  ice  flehis.  The  Blue  Fox  occurring 
on  the  mainland  south  of  the  Arctic  circle  and  on  all  of  the  Aleutian  islands,  attaining  best  con- 
dition on  the  Pribylof  Group  and  the  western  Aleutian  Islands.  At  the  latter  place  it  is  the  only 
terrestrial  ntainmal. 

(jANis  LUiN  s  OEiSEo-ALBiTS  (Tiiiin).  Sabine.     Oraif  IKo//. 
This  wolf  ranges  over  all  the  maiidand  of  Alaska.    On  the  Aleutian  islands  it  occurs  only 
on  ITniniiik  ;  attaining  that  locality  by  crossing  on  the  ice,  from  tbe  north,. jamming  into  "False", 
or  Isanotxky,  Pass,  se^jHi^ating  that  islaiwl  from  Aliaska. 

FAwnn.Y  FKLID^].    The  Cats. 
Genus  Lynx. 

Lynx  boeealis  CANADENSIS  (Gray)  Mivart.     Canada  Lynx. 
Woo<led  portions  of  the  mainland;  rarely  wandering  on  the  treeless  areas. 
(Future  investigations  into  the  natural  history  of  Alaska  and  its  neighboring  wateja  Vi\\\  b^^*- 
tainly  reveal  many  additional  species  to  be  added  to  the  list  given  in  this  coniu (lion  atld  ludy  tt- 
quire  a  revision  of  some  ot  those  already  listed.) 


hi!'     '."'' 


i     \\. 


INDEX 


XOTK.— A  '"W  orrora  occiiriiiiK  In  tlid  «ileiit 
A. 

Altliroviiita  (Pou) fig 

A  hipH  iilha 7fl 

fillmtli'iiHlH 70 

nuTtfliMiiiTiJl 76 

sifclienHis 70 

AliHinthlinn  (Aileincnln) 09 

AcnnthlnM  (Siinaltin) ji2 

Ai'HiitliiH 26 

liorndiiiinnil  oxillpoH 171, 103 

liiiaiia 2.1,172,103 

hollliu'llii 103 

AciliilliocciilinluH  (Cottiis) 85 

AniiiIiH  (Silcne) ^3 

Ai'('i]iitcr  ntlicnpiUiis 157^  loj 

KtrhltllluK iri7, 191 

viliix ISO,  100,101 

AcclpitliuilH  (Anio) 101,  101 

A Ci-Hfoliuni  ( Viliurnnm) gg 

Aoi'toHu  (Uniiiox)   74 

Ai'liillea  luilliroMum 69 

Aoiinlni'o  (I'iloiihiiron)  fis 

Acicularu  (Ruonmitriuni) 83 

ArniiUiim  iiapcllua  itu1|iliinirnlinm ni 

Acroalii'hniiles  (CrviitoKraimnc) 82 

Aitltis  iiiacularia  100 

A(;nleatilni  aspidiuin 82 

A cnmiiiala  (Trliign) 180- 

A('Uta  (Ciirux) 79 

(Daflla) 133,187 

(ficiitiaun) 72 

Acutifoliuin  (Spliat;nuni) 82 

AilftniHii  (Uiiiiiifor) 115,184 

Ailiaiitnm  prcliitum 82 

Adoxa  inoHcluitcllJna , og 

^piaIitm"iiR'lniia  circunicincU 100 

llioii};<i]a JQQ 

•  Heniii)a!niata ISO,  190 

^>|liivalvia  (Acnistis) 81 

iEstivn  (Di'ndroicn) 173, 1  OS 

^etrrlata  Usheii igy 

Afllne  (E|iilutiiuin) gg 

zelatum  (Milium) g3 

Amiila  (Aytliya) 137 

Agrostis  ie(|Uivalvia 81 

i>xai'at» 81 

goiniiiata 81 

laxitlora 81 

Aim  areticft yo 

atrnpurpiirea hq 

CEcapitoHa f^Q 

bnthilca 80 

floiiioaa jo 

Iniif;i(li)i  a 80 

Alalia  u»(i(ili-nla 85 

ALinrcnala  (I'lcuidca  ainirlcanua) 100, 192 

(Trogloil.ytos)  181,105 

IIOlKii/Niili.iliiB)  70 

A ImMJIfMIII  ( A imiiiimIi BinrjH  Hiinil wlilietiala) 173, 194 

H.  Mitt.  156 27 


ific  niiinin  in  tlio  lext  aro  coin cteil  in  tlio  index. 


70 
185 


Alba  (Abi(!s)  

(GuvifO 

(Itbynclnifiimni) 

AUmtruH  0'i<nn(!(h'ii) j^y  lyg 

Alhi'olii  (I'lmritonctta) i:j4_  lay 

Albioiinn  (Jini/'ermnnnin) g4 

AIl)iciIIii  (Iliiliii'otus) ift.'(^  joi 

AlbifmnH  Kiunboli  (Anmr)    138,  143,144.188 

Alct'H  (iuu'IiUh 202 

Alcyon  (Ccrylc) 105^  192 

Alectoiin  divoi-yens §5 

ocbrolciicrt g5 

AlPuton«in  {niomitH) go 

AIoutit;i\  (Cjihuna^ioHtiH) go 

(Gcntiium) 72 

(Stonm) 127^  igfi 

Aleutiotm  (Ilrvnnthiis) 75 

{Ptychoraniphufl) 119,  lg5 

A  Igida  (Cutubi'oaa) go 

(Dralm) 02 

AIlciiD  (TuriliiH) I83,  JOti 

Allium  HcliiL-noprasiira 78 

AlloHurun  fi^vcolatua 82 

sitrlicnsla  82 

AInfdIdtia  plicuta Hb 

A  Inns  incaua 7e 

rubra 7 

viridiH , 7(1 

Alopecuius  ftl|iinnn 81 

Alsia  cnlifnrnica 84 

Altcrni folium  (CliryBOspIenium)    67 

Alpestri.sleucoliuina  (Otocoris)  166,  W^ 

ffl 
0!) 
7! 
GO 
62 
80 
181) 
73 
70 


Alpina  (Anemone^ 

(Antt'nn.'irlii) 

(ArctOHtiij)!!^  I08) ^ .  

(CirciL'u) 

(Dral.u) 

{Tlitirochloa) 

paciHca  (Tringa) 147, 

(Veronica) 

(Sassiiioa)  

Alpinuni  (Kpllobiuni) 66 

furcatnm  (P"Kt>nit""') 83 

(Lycopixliuni) gl 

(rapavcr) 62 

( IMiIiiuni ) , 81 

(Pognnatum)    83 

(Polygonum) _. 74 

(TbiiU(!truni) 61 

Alpinitfi  (AIopocuruH) 81 

( A  Hler) 69 

(Aslragalus) , 64 

AlysHiim  byporboreuin  02 

Amari'Ua  ((hntiana) 72 

Aincricaua  (Anas) 131^  \n^ 

( Ay  tbya) 187 

(CertliiafaniiliariH)   ., jys 

(1''"1"<'I») 188 

(Glaufioiiutta  clangula) 134,  i87 


210 


INDEX. 


ii 


li 


AriKM'it'iiim  (MllHtolfl) 2U8 

(Oldi'nilii) .• 137. 188 

(Vi'i'olili'il)  78 

AiiiKilrnniiii  alimrciiniii  (Pitoldra) IH,  102 

(tnrrtiiliH  (ricuideH) 16(},  193 

d.iiiii")   liOB 

(l.i'pim  nnirilcnniiii) 205 

(MiTirnililor)  I3U,I87 

(I'iClplllBK) KK 

(Ilrniiri) 2(10 

Antlnot'd'leH  uureliH -. \\2 

Anniindniiiiitn  MiindwiclitMiwts 17H,  104 

hUiiiIIiiiiii 17:i,llM 

Amiii'llH  iriinuluM 177,  IIM 

Aniiili'xlt'iilluB  (SlrciitiipuH) 77 

Alnpli'-xifiiliii  (Uvuhiilii) •   77 

AninrpiirtiM  (Motiicilln)   170 

AimpvlliH  (Vi'i(iiiioa) n 

Aiinnhlclmn  li'iitiiiua OH 

Aiii\»  iimorlcaim 131, 187 

bo8clia« 11)1, 1H7 

c»rollnen»lii 132,187 

crPCCR  132, 187 

aiRCors 133,187 

p«pelope 187 

strcprra 131,187 

Aniituni  (Kiilrn  Dcrciiriiiim) ICO,  101 

AncOiiH  (SiH.M-incliiiuii  lici-niiitllaiia) 77 

Aiu1n)nKMlii  poll  folia 71 

AiuliiiHiueK  (Aitimenia) 00 

Ainllosurcft  (SaxilVn^ia)  07 

. AnUrosaco  ilumiffjasnio 72 

septfUtrioualls 72 

vUluaa  72 

Anemone  alpinn    fll 

narcfHsifiora 01 

paiviHora 01 

pateitn... 01 

riclmrdsoiii 61 

Anglli'a  (Coililcaiiii) 62 

AliKtmln  (Oilniilhalia  dciitata)  ?...  85 

Au^iiMtaia  (AtiopU) 80 

(Gl.vcciiu) 80 

AnpiiRtifidia  (Arnica)   70 

AniiUHtifclimn  (E|.iliil)iiim) 06 

Aniiotinmn  (L.vcopodiiilii)  81 

Aniina  (I'oa) 80 

Aiitiplbicliiis  atiopurpuieiii* 93 

AljBir  all.i  friiim  s"">l>'-li 138,  U3,  144, 188 

Ansel  ilia  (I*oti>ntillii)  65 

Auti-nnnria  alpina 69 

dloica 09 

niargarltat'pft 6 

Antltrhhia  calit'nniii'a B* 

rurlipendula 84 

Anthiia  ctTvinui^  ...   180,10.') 

IH'nsilv.'xnU-ii.s 180,  Ui.'t 

Antiqim.s  (S\n11ilnHiiaiiiphn»l 120,  185 

AonalaiiiliUii.'  (Tiinliinl : 100 

Apai;;idiiin)  binealo 70 

ApaiHH'  ((ialliuni) 08 

Api'taluni  (Mclandiynni) 63 

Aplira^iinus  onclmclinlt/.ianilR 63 

Apluiza  viiKiita IW,  100 

AplliOHa  (IN-itigi'i-al 85 

Aquilina  (PUMitii 82 

Aipiatitis  (Can-X) 79 

A'pnitica  (('atalir(tsa) rfo 

(CtlvoTin) HO 

Aiiuil.'l  clil  ysiii-l»m 158,191 

Aquili'^ia  lortniiHa 61 

Arahi.s  liirstita 62 

petiica 02 

Arclianfcelica  ntUciiiaUs  07 

KHiflini 68 

Arclubutco  la;;o])n8 191 


V»g». 

ArrhlliiitrnlaKiMiMx  lanili.lciliannla 158, 101 

AidaKri)pitl«  latllidla 81 

AiTlica  (Ahu) HO 

(Aivnaila)  68 

(Arlenii'slal «» 

(Callha) 61 

(I'(iu)  80 

(Sallx) 75 

Cli  liiilallM  .Miropua) 72 

AlTtinini  iNi'phrnma) 85 

( I.tMirniitliiMiiiiin) 69 

Arctliim  illnliii  vii;:iLilaniiKl 103 

AicliiHlcafon  kaiutrtchatioiliit 76 

AlTtirii.<  (.ri'iicu") 78 

(HiiliiiHl 65 

(rilnnliii) 118,184 

AntdniyM  pniiiiostirt 203 

Aiiti.ni'lta  (iHilMii 136,187 

AirtoHfapliyluN  alpina 71 

iivaitrai 71 

Aniiftta  (liiznla) 78 

Aldi'O  lii'niiliaa 188 

Ari'iiaiia  aritlra 68 

niacn  <'arpa 83 

vfrna  Iiirta 63 

(Calidiii.) 180 

int.rpria 1!W,  100 

nialnnoi-oplialu 150, 100 

Arenatin^  (Klynin.-*) 79 

Arctioiili'H  iKi'iti'U'liluin) 73 

ArciMitt'iiln  (Biyiini) 83 

Ar;i4Mitatn.s(V*ulpcs  fiilvus) 208 

Armiilia  (I'lPiin) 82 

AiKiita  (.Saxifrnsa) 67 

Arisiiila  ( I'lloxys) 76 

Ariui'i la  (Sta(icf) 74 

Aiiiica  angUHtUViUa 70 

r1ian)iH!iui)i!4 70 

latlfidla 70 

olitimilolla 70 

iiiiAl!is<-))k<>itNm  70 

Ana  (I'riali.nivia) 122,185 

Artctni'Nia  absinth iiim 69 

i)l)di(iHa4'i>a 60 

aicliift  69 

liorealla 69 

ebnuiiHflnnlH    69 

Klobniiil  ia 60 

glonici  ain  69 

viiluaiiH 60 

tilfsii .  60 

Ainnon.f  (Spinca)  64 

ArvciiHi*  (KtpiiHftnm) 81 

ArvcnHi.s  (Sprruula) 63 

A?  vir(»la  1  ipaliu!*  lidicalla 204 

xanlbnKnalliMS 20^ 

.\sli)  a<TipiliiniiH 101, 101 

k.  iinici.tlii  (Mc);a»oiip«) 192 

Aaprr  (H(^xa'.:iaiiiniuH)  95 

As*i'ldiiini  aiuliatilln  82 

IVaKi'anH 82 

loncliitLs 82 

orcoiiti'iia 82 

Hpiniibisnni  dilatntuni 82 

Aapli-nifolin  (C.iplisl   fll 

Ah,  .•■iiiiini  tV-lix  in  inina 82 

AapliMinideH  (I'lilcila) 85 

Anlfl'  alpinua 69 

fnliaciMis  ...   00 

nmltillorn.s 08 

pcn'<irlnil.s 60 

Halnnuinosna 69 

Sibil  icu.t 60 

xVstragralus  alpinus 64 

f'ri^idna 04 

bypogluttia 64 


Jh     ,4^K^.^-.J^3^M!i^J:' 


INDEX. 


211 


t'Oiin 

AHtniu'iiIun  iioUrfH  84 

Aiia.irirollil  (C'llllllH  imlllnll'lii)   tl 

Atkhi>u»iii  (LiiifopiiH  nipi'dliU) IM,  1811,191 

AtiiiuMplifrlc  pti'MMiiii' 27 

Atln  lOriii)    ' IW 

AliatH  (Caipx)   70 

AliUBpilllm  (Al(ipltPl)  157,101 

ocilili'iilHlirt  (I'unin) 1H3,  IBO 

"ptintiiniinllit  d'Arun) I'Jfl 

»trliitiiluii(AoilpUi'i) 187, 101 

Atriplcx  jrriii'liiil  76 

lilloriills 76 

Ati'iipiH  fiii>£UNtata M) 

IIIHlitldlii 80 

Atropiirptiri'ft  (A v(ii) 80 

AtiopiiipiiriMm  (Aiioplarc'liUM) 03 

AtrovlifijH  (l*ii(iniiutiim)   88 

Aulacuiiiiiloii  I'UplIIar'' ■ ■ ■•  83 

paliiHtt'i*   83 

lut'tiiiliuii 83 

Auialus  (C'niaplia) Hi".  10- 

AurtMirt  (AninnK'a*tt3H) 11- 

(Si'uldo) 7(1 

Auiltua  (Colyinbiw) US,  184 

Aiiiocapillim  (S.-iiiun) 10.^ 

AiinirRH  35,36 

Avlciilain  (Pol.VK»"'ini) '^ 

A.vtliya  anicricaiia 187 

affliiU ■  '87 

.'ollaiU i:t:".i87 

niarlla  iirarrtlcn 1^3, 187 

Talllnnerla 187 

B. 

llaclininiii  (lIu'iiialiipiiR) 101,1110 

Hn'omycea  iriiiiiilophilua 84 

Bairdli  (»clphiim») 1»7 

(Triuga) 180 

Baltt'iioptcradaviilsoiii  201 

Bahi'iia  Japuiika IfOS 

inysticetus ..-. 202 

Bnlanniifora  (P(ipnlu8) 70 

liiilticiia  (Iuiicuh)   78 

BarbatuR  (Siplia;;oiiu»( 94 

(Kri(!iialliii») 206 

Barberea  viil)(ai1n 82 

Barbiila  niUlleil 83 

Baiclayl  (.Snlix) 75 

(Ulota) 83 

Batrovianmis  (Laiim)  '^i",  123, 124,  l'jr>,  141,  ISfi 

Barlranilii  li>ii(;ii'aiiilii 180 

iiioiip.ifHii 83 

liauoll  (Linioiia  lapponiiii) 118, 180 

BeccabuilKa  (VtMoliiciil     73 

Kcbiliminmim  (Ci'iastiiim  vul;;:ituni) 64 

Bormiiiliaiia  (Si»yrincliiuiii)   77 

Hmniiiilianum  auccpu  (Si»yriiirliiiiiii) 77 

Botiila  onimni  76 

glandtilotta 76 

nana 76 

BcIuIk'  niiiiai  (Uothidoa  betiilina) 85 

Betulifolla  (Spirwa) 64 

Betulinn  (Unthlclea) 85 

Beuple.'Mt,     :ii  u'lCiiloldeH 67 

Blator:  iiMiuiil,., Ml  Ho 84 

Bloiiloi  (Tauliyi  11 .  la) 177, 104 

Blfiora   INii  nl  illi  ' 65 

(>UriirIisi.  viola* 63 

HlfoIla(S.-' l«.Mii'i 77 

Hilulinm  (Mil.  'iilllPliium) 77 

Bi^IumiH  (Jiincim) 78 

BbunU  iViulii) 03 

Blochniun  spit-ant 82 

.  Blituni  ntpitatuni 78 

Btinasa  unilicltun  timbelloidt'a 152, 100 


BoiKiilp  ( A iiariililliinil 70 

'  (lliillMlilnm) , 81 

((*<'(H>4ti)ntiinil  83 

(OalllUMi) 68 

(lli-ilyiiiiiiiinil 64 

Ilori'.iliK  (AiliiiHsla) 60 

(Aivlciila  ilparliiii) 20t 

(IJrabu) 62 

(CulypHci) 77 

ranaili'ijnln  { Lynx) 2C8 

(Iliiri.ihlcMi) SO 

(l.anlMK) 17C.  105 

(Lrnniihaniphua)  107 

(Llnniin) 68 

(NiiniHniu*) 140,100 

(rii\ll"p»iiiHtc»)  106 

(IMaiiiilcaj 6» 

(St.dbnla) Oa 

(TclUldia) " 

DoT'rnuaduH  Hiiiita 80 

llciw  lia«  ( A  niw) 131.  187 

BoHi'litiiiikia  ijlnbia 74 

Botl'ycbiiilii  borralH 81 

lancpolut  llni   81 

Itiniuiti 81 

limtrirHVifuHlim *. 82 

lulacmini  ^-.  82 

tciniituni 82 

virgin  irnm 82 

BotI niia  ( A ii a  I'lCHpiKma) . .   60 

(Aiia  tli.xuoRa) 80 

Boykiuiii  lii'bardHonii 67 

niaibypc.da  (GnHlijiostima  punKitliiR) : 87 

BrarbyranipbuH  kitllititil    120,195 

niaruuiratua 121, 1H5 

lliaibvibyni^biiH  (I  aru») 128, 180 

nianlaranudt'nRlx ..131',  144, 188 

canaib-iwls  butolilnsil 40, 1.10,  H.),  144. 188 

caniKb'nrtiA  iiiininiti  139, 144, 188 

t-anadi-iiHU  ticcidiMitaliH 188 

i,lgiic:iinH 141.144,188 

Drailala  (rutundifiilia  I'yrola) 71 

BiaetiatuK  (I'dilKtylus) 77 

Brnftecmuni  (KibcH) tW 

Bri'vlrrwirii  (Kisaa) 124,185 

Brodhii  (rh,\ll.ipb(ilB) 85 

BruuiuR  ak'ntonMlH 80 

oiliatim 80 

sitclieimin  80 

snbubitUH 80 

llruncbialiM  (Siixifiii!;u)    66 

Bllllii'lla  vnl^iii'i* 74 

Bryant hiiK  aliMiticna 75 

Bryuin  HiKi'nlcuMi 83 

copitbire 83 

cradnm 83 

ini'linatiiru 83 

la.URlre 83 

niitani* 83 

piilyniorpbnnl 83 

pyrifornir 83 

Bubii  virginiiinnH  amicus 102 

virKinianua  unbaictious 162,102 

Buii'inator  (Olor) 188 

Budytes  llavufl  lencostriatna 179. 195 

Bufo 6 

But(*o  Hwainsoui 101 

Bnxbaiitnii  (Oari-xf 79 

C. 

Cacblnans  (I.anis) 186 

Ca'tiileuni  f  ri.b.monium) 72 

Cwspitosa  (AIra). SO 

l)ottnlca(Aiia) 80 

(Ciiiex)  79 


"f 


^^\% 

^>;#^ 


%^     "*^"     r% 


^\   %>.% 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


^ 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1.4 


IIIM 

M 
1.6 


V] 


<^ 


/i 


^> 


^J!^^' 


/^/  4^"^  ..^^ 


# 


:^^.>^' 


07^ 


r 


9^ 


>^ 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


,\ 


^q, 


# 

^ 


^^ 


i\ 


\ 


<^\/^\ 


^^^^ 


>"*> 


23  WEST  MAIN  STKEFT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


T 


^.<^^%^ 


%^ 


W. 


i/u 


212 


INDEX. 


CvapltosK  loiigtflon  (Aim) 80 

(Saxilruga) 07 

(Sclrpua).... 78 

L'iniipitoiiiiin(VacciDluni) 71 

Cafor  ■iitiiratior  (Colnptca) 182 

UilamniinmtiBalmitica 80 

cHnaduDHis 80 

langailarflii 80 

lapponioa 80 

ncglvcta 80 

pur|>uraso«iiB 80 

■Irlgoaa 80 

aylvutica 80 

Calrariua  lappuiiicus 26,173,104 

plctna 104 

Cuk'DiluIa  (li«Kulaa) 183,  IM 

Caliilrla  arennria 189 

Callfoinlca  (Alhln) 84 

(Antltrlctrla) 84 

(Uilft  tiollo)  m,18J 

UnlirornlouH  (L:iriis| 186 

Calliodoii  (I.iparla) 04 

CallDi hiiMia  iiiainua 46 

Call  ha  «ictU:» 61 

leptoKepula 01 

imlustria  aaHiirifblia 01 

Calthifoliuni  (Oeum) 68 

Oal.vcina  ( IluU^liinala'  63 

Calyriiliita  (Caaaiiiidm) 71 

Cnl,vpao  bni'i^olU 77 

Cftuipanula  ilu>  vantUa 70 

tAHiorarpa 70 

rutiimlillnm' 70 

pilumi 70 

uiiiUiTU 70 

CampaDullUDi  (PuKcmiituni  alpiniini) 83 

Canipeatria  (Liizula) 78 

(Oxytropiia) 64 

Canadeuaia  (Abiea) 76 

(Bran  til) 138,144,188 

(CulnmaKiwttia) 80 

(Cervua) 202 

(Uoriuiit) 68 

(Uoudnigapiia) 152,100 

fumifroua  (I'eriaoreua) 167, 103 

(Gnia) 138,145,188 

hutcliiuaii  (llrauta) 40,130, 143,144,188 

(I.ntra) 207 

(Lyiii  lioreulla) 208 

niioima  (BraiitH) 120,144,188 

ucciitnntallH  ( Braiitn) 188 

(SanKiiiaurba) 65 

Ci';..i|{lc8  (Phllaute) 142, 144, 188 

Oaueaceiia  (Caicx) 70 

ericoidea  (KaGomitriuin) 83 

Canina  (Peltiicera) 86 

CanlH  lupiia  criacoalbua 208 

Cauiitiia  (TriiiKO) 146,180 

Caparoi'h  (tfiiriiia  uliila) 164,102 

Caplllaceum  (Uiatlcblum) 83 

Capillare  (Bryiim) 83 

(PoKountiiiii) 83 

(Aulacomiiiuu) 83 

<'apllIaila(('Brex) 70 

Capltata(lVdicularlH) 74 

( VaU'rlana) 68 

Capitatiiiii  ( Blituin) 76 

( Grinpboruin) 79 

CardaminH  digitaU 62 

hlraiita 63 

leDHiiaiH 62 

pratpuaia 6a 

piiq)aroa 62 

Carei  acuta 70 

atrata 7J 

aqustilia n 


Paga 

Carol  butbanmlt 70 

ua'apiUwa 70 

caneac4'ua 70 

capillaria 70 

circlnuta •. 70 

cr>ptucarpii 70 

elongata 70 

fullKlnoaa 70 

linieliul 70 

lagopiua 70 

leiocarpa 70 

lupurlna 70 

liinnaa 70 

llvldn 70 

iimorucbfuta 70 

luelanovarpa 70 

iiiui  Uuali 70 

iiiioi'opoda 70 

uiKriiana 70 

uorrogioa 70 

pancidora 70 

raridora 70 

remota 70 

rotnndata 70 

•axatiUa 7n 

■tcllulata 70 

atriota 79 

atyloaa 70 

Tnaicariii 79 

Caribou  (Kungiler  tarandaa) 203 

Caroliuunala  ( Paudiou  baliasetua) 161, 191 

(Auaa) 132,187 

Caroliuua  (Sculi'ouphagua) 168, 103 

Caaaaudra  calyculata 71 

Caaalnl  (Pyrrhula) 169,170,103 

(Py  rrbula  coceluea) 169, 170 

Caaaiopu  lycopmlioidea 7l 

mertouaiaoa 71 

at«lleriaua 71 

tetraguna 71 

Caataneua  (J uncus) 78 

CaatiUeJa  pallida 78 

parriflora 73 

aeptentrionalia 73 

Caator  fiber 204 

Catabroaa  algida 80 

aquatica 80 

Catapbroctca  (Uaateroateua) 87 

Cntodou  (Uelpliinapterua) W3, 198 

Caurinua  (Corvua) 103 

CaTifoliuni  (Polytricbuni) 83 

Cclata  (Helminthophila) 105 

luteaoena  (lleluiinthopbila) 105 

Combra  (Pinna) 76 

Ccnisia  (Poa) 80 

Cepphna  coluinba 121, 185 

mandtil  121,185 

Ceraatiuni  vulgatum 64 

bvliriuginnum 64 

granditiorum 64 

Coratodon  purpurena 83 

Ceratopbornm  (duna-lunnia  Taraxacnm) 70 

Cernua  (Saxifraga) 67 

Coruuiuni  (Trlai'tuni) 80 

Cortirblnva  niouoccrata  186 

CertUin  faniiliar'a  americann 100 

Cetraria  ialuudlon 85 

CBrvinua  (Antbua) 180,105 

Cervua  oanadonaua 202 

Cerylealcyon \..  165,102 

Cbietoptrria  plumoaa 85 

Cbaniajjaanie  (Audroaaoe) 72 

Chamieniorua  (Kubua) 65 

Cbaaiiaauuia  (Arnica) 70 

(Artemeaia) 60 

(Claytouia)  .  at 


■^BaPWWB 


INDEX. 


213 


Past-. 

ChaniiMouiH  (Eriopboriim ) 78 

i  I'cdlculurls) 73 

(Vacciuiiiiii) 71 

ClmrndriuB  dotuiuiouB ]qo 

t'ulvas 149,11)0 

K<]ualai-oIu   11)0 

Cliaritont'ttn  albeolu 134,187 

Clinliiloii  iT^thiuKAHter 2(i,  176,  177, 104 

Chen  Iiyiieiboroa 188, 144,188 

roHail ' 188 

Cliimla  liliini  85 

Chuiiittinua  (I^ortBtyluH) 7; 

Climiidm  (Oucoiy milium) •. 105, 108 

Chi\VHOf4])U>uiuni  altei  iiif'olluiu 67 

Clirysaiitua  (A<|(iila) 168,  lOi 

Ciliatiis  (UromuH) go 

Cinaniniium  (Hoda) ofi 

Clnciuutim  {PlialitcroconiX  dllophiiH) 120,180 

CimUiiN  iii«*xii>aiiiiH 181, 10& 

Ciiirtiifi  yriif  sceiiM  (Partm) ]8'J 

ulteCllKH  (I'lUUtt)  182, 106 

(I'HMiM) 182,183 

Ciiiuiurua  (r>nliiila) 160, 17a 

Cimafn  luppuiiicu  (Uliila) 162, 102 

( Mt'luHpiza) 1 74, 104 

(Dlula) 161, 16-Ml»ii 

(Mima  liitit'olia gi 

Ciit'tun  itlpiua  ... 60 

Chriiial.'  (H.vpnum) $4 

(^iirhiala  ((larux) 79 

Cii  iuinciiictii  {if:<£ialiti8  uieluila) iM 

Ctrciitt  biidHoniiiH 156,  |91 

CiiTliatii  (Ltuulu) 117,184 

Cirri 31 

Ciri  u-riitiiuli 30 

CirMstratim 30 

Clailnula  drforniiB    84 

f;rariliH 84 

pyxadnta 84 

rau^cifiTina 84 

eylvatica 84 

uncialis 84 

CliulotliatniiiiH  py r(i1a;t1(iriiH 71 

Cluiigiilu  atiiuricunu  (tilaui^ioiietta) 134, 187 

hyemaUs 134.135,187 

Clavatiim  (Lycopndiuiii) 81 

Oaytoiiia  chainiHHonis 66 

flaKullaria 66 

Harmuutotta 6C 

Bibirica f\Q 

virKinii'a 66 

Cloai- woatht-r 31 

Clivic'ula  riparia 177, 194 

Cloudrt '»j 

Clupea  niirabitin lU 

Chipuifuriniri  (Corojjomis) 104 

Olypeata  (Spat  tila) 133, 187 

(viiioiiH  kanitcballi'im 70 

CoecimMi  lahHiiii  (ryrrbubi) 160,170 

(Tclh'Idia)  78 

Cochtearia  aiinUca 82 

t'eiieBtrata 02 

ubtnii^cifolia 62 

utliciualis 62 

CulapK'B  auratiin 166,192 

cttlV-r  saturntior 192 

Coliuus  virKiuiaiMiR .,         153 

CullariH  ( Ay tbyn)   133, 187 

Culpodium  fiilvuiu 80 

Coluiiiba  iCfpphuB) 121, 185 

jUohimbarluB  ( Falco) 160, 101 

Biirkloyi  1  Falco) lOI 

CohiinbianuB  (Olor) 40,146,188 

(IMolcorvuB) 103 

ColyiubuB  uuritun 115,184 


Paga 

Colymbua  holbcBlHi 115,184 

Comiuuiie  (Polytttirbum) 84 

ComnitiiiU  (Phtxraina)  ., 206 

( 'iimoMa  OfiUKeata  ( Luzula)    78 

Cnmplaiiatuin  (Lycdpitdiuiu) 81 

Gunfurtidora  (Solida^o) 69 

ConK»Htiiin  (Olcranuni) 93 

Cou^ttata  ( Liizula  I'omuaa) 78 

Couira  (FH<:atulla) , 84 

Couiusulluuin  tJauhnri 97 

CuiioHtonium  boreulo  - 88 

Coiitortn  (Piuiia) 76 

Couturtuiu  <Pu>;uoatum) 88 

Coopuri  (Sctrex) 205 

(Syuaptomya) 204 

CuptiH  OHpU'iiirulia 61 

iiifuliu 61 

trifolia 61 

Coralluidea  fSpliH-ropliarou) 84 

Curax  Hi'uiiitiia  (Corvna) I67, 193 

Curdata  (Lint era) 77 

maolt4M)7.ia]ia  (Salix) 7.') 

(Halix) 7.1 

CoruguuiiH  ciupoifurniiB ]04 

koyiiiruttii io4 

laurfttai 103 

lucrokii    104 

qiiadrilatcralU io4 

CuriapL-rininii  liyHHUpit'oHum 76 

Coruiciilata  <Frat«rcuIa) 118, 184 

Coruus  cauadciitiiH 68 

Htuloiiifoia 68 

siueica §8 

nualaacbkenaiH oH 

Cui  uiiw 34 

CorouatA  (Dcudruioa) 178, 10,5 

(Zcjiiutiiehia) , n-l  104 

Corrallurbuainiiata  77 

luurteiiHiaua 77 

CorviiHcauriiiUH , 103 

corax  Hiuuatiia 107, 103 

CurydaliH  ^lauca 02 

puiu-idora 63 

CuttUH  tiiiiuili4 o.'v 

pulyacaiithoi'cpbulua 05 

tiL'nitipliM'iiK 04 

Oouurti  (Trinjia) 147,  igjt 

Cuuutry,  jib^Hiial  cliaractoriatiuH  uflbi' 13 

CraHHilolia  {StoUaria) 03 

CruuraiAiiait) i;i2, 187 

Crittpa  iliorralirt  Stfllaiia) 63 

Cr'rtpiruliuui  (llypiium) 84 

CriMpuiii  tUu-rauiiiii) 83 

CriMtanalli  (ViUarHia) 72 

CriHti-pilli  (Uhinanlhua) 73 

Critttiiti'lliia  (Siiuurbyut;liiis) Ol,  110, 185 

Crudiuii  (Itryuiii) *. 83 

CrymnphiliiH  t'lilicuriiia 145,  le8 

Cryptiuarpa  (('ari'X; 70 

CryptomaiimM>  luTosticboiduB 82 

Ciifutlatuiii  (Platyaiim) , 88 

Cuciilatua  (Luphoilyto**) 187 

Ciiiiiulo-htratiia 30 

CumuliiB  30 

CuniLulua  turqiiatiia 204 

Ciirtipundiila  (Antitricbia) 84 

('iirvirnatraiiiiiiur  {f<o\ia) 170, 103 

Curtpidatiim  rctiiivinii  (Splia|;uum) 82 

Cyaiifi'iila  Hiiet-ica 106 

CyaiKH'ittii  HtnlliTi 193 

Cyclopim  (LipartH) 04 

Cyclorrbyiu'biiB  p8ittariilti8 110,  185 

Cyinbifuliuni  (8pba;;iiuin) 82 

Cypripcdliim  Kottatum 77 

Cy Btopteris  fra^ilis 82 


J 


214 


INDEX. 


m 


'I 


DaaiaiioiiU IJ3,I«7 

Dalll  (Ovin  mnntiina) 208 

DalllR  pi'rt«r«llii 100 

l)iiiiiacfii«l»  (TrliiKR)    189 

nnayntitliH  (Cnntiinniila) 7U 

lliiviilAoiit  (IliihMinptvrn) 1*01 

Daviiiini  iSaxifraKa)    07 

Di'OIIRBatUB  <V"'pP8  fulvtiB) "JOB 

Defciriiila  (Ola     uia) 84 

Prclanill  (OiclciiiU) 137, 1«« 

Del»r98oriaJUiEt'»"*H W 

ainiKwi M 

Dvlloata  (Oalllnnuo) H6,  IRO 

T)flphiiianlcnia  ratiMlon  23.  Mt8 

IVIpliiiiilullain  (A('unitumii»|ii'lluii) 01 

Dvlpliiniim  moii/.ieall fli 

Di'lphiniia  balnlll lOT 

PeiulraKapiia  raiiadoimin  .  ■ .  ■ IS2, 190 

nbselirtia  i'lillKllKmils IS'2. 190 

Dvudniku  aisllva 178,196 

cortinata 178. 193 

striata 178,195 

id; 

81 

86 

83 

102 

78 

84 

70 

72 

2» 

72 

68 

83 


townBoudt 

Penclri'idijm  (Ljcupodlimi) . . 
DrnlKia  aiigiiMa  (Odoiithalia) 

Ueiitaliiiii  (riisonnlum) 

DcnlfX  (Oi<nu-rii») 

UciiliiMilala  (McrtHimla) 

Di'iitir.ulatiini  (H.vpminO 

DeiialoonlK  craraxariim) 

Detou«a  (Uentlaiia) 

D»w 


Dlapunnia  lappniilca  

DIaiitliilK  u-peim 

Dkruuum  eonc«-«Him 

criKpiim 83 

clunKatntii    83 

hrti'iiiiiiallum 88 

iun,iiin  83 

paluHtr*' 88 

pnlyi-urpmn ■ 83 

Hcluiulori 88 

acupariuii) 83 

Dlltiiilla  (Enipiil(Miax)  193 

DiUitnta  (raiilaiuluo) 62 

Tlllaiata  (rlalanthcra)  77 

I>llataluiii  (AnpliUuni  npiimlnmm))    82 

Uiliiplius  rim  liialiu  (i'lialaeiiHorax)  129, 186 

DIolva  (Anii'iinaria) 69 

(ITiiloa) 76 

(Vali'ilana) B« 

Diomertea  alliatrim 128,186 

liiKripes 128, 186 

Dipliyllos  (Micr.)«t,\li«> 77 

DIiuoiiUm  ( Matiicaiia) 60 

IM-iora  (Aliaal 133,  187 

OUIirluiiui  rapill.ici'11111    83 

l)ivei):cn»  (AliHtoiial 88 

Uod»!CMtlll>OIl 16 

uiendin  .  72 

Itotnuatlima  (Kiimex) 74 

Diimluiriiii  fulviia  (Charadriua) 149,100 

1)01  aal Is  ( rii'oiilfM  Biin-ricnuus) 166, 192 

l>i>rwilii»  I'pisaiil hurt  KiHtbrliou 205 

Diiiliiilpa  lii'liilinn  ImIiiIic  nhua 86 

DoiiKlaalniia  (Crut  lanal 72 

VciucluHnil  (Nerkera) 84 

Dralia  ulgida 62 

alploa 82 

borrali* 62 

Rlacialia 62 

graciUa 02 

hlHs 62 

iniuina 68 

mnrioclU M 


Page 

Draba  sUllat* 62 

ateuoluba 62 

unalaaubklana 62 

Draooccpfaaluni  parvifloriini 74 

Iiraiontiiiiii  kamUchaltvuu) 76 

Dn'ibacblt'ualH  (Stninnytoceutnitua) 120 

Di'oarr*  rutuuillfolia 63 

Drunininnill  riincna 78 

Dry'A**  "f'l*)|>*^tala 65 

Uryobatfa  piibeacena 106,102 

vilbMiiB  leiicomelaa 192 

Uryoi)(pri8  ( I'h^Kopt  uria) 82 

ItiiiHiiitia  pniluanthn  .J 80 

l)y  vtioaiphou  fieuiciilnopiia 85 

B. 

Ki'liinnapomiiini  rixlnwiikil 73 

Edwardail  (Kutrcnia) 63 

Electricity 35 

Eli'Cans  ( Plarndinm) 85 

EllKiilata  (luiMli)rala  Matricaria) 69 

Klougata  (Carex) 79 

Eliiiiuat  11111  {Ulorauiiiii)  . : 3.1 

ElyiiillH  areliarina 79 

niollia 79 

■ibiriciia 79 

Blynaapicata 79 

Kiiiarciiiata  ( I'utt'iitilla)  05 

Euipctni  eiiiiH'tia  t.Spi>rmopbiliis) 1^03 

kadiaccnaia  (Spi'i'iiiiipbiliia) 203 

(Speniiiiphilua  cniprtral 203 

Eiu|ietrniii  16 

niKriiiii 74,75,123 

Enipidoiiax  'iflidlla 193 

Eiihydria  liitris 49 

EulcoiK'tta  atelleri 13.M87 

Ensifaliiia  (Juncua) 78 

Eiiucleator  (Pinlcola) 168, 193 

Epilobiiiui  affluu 06 

alplnnni 66 

auKUfltifoliiiiii 06 

latifoliuiii 06 

i:!toiiiii 66 

paliiHtro 66 

ti'li»Ki>iiiiiu  66 

rortcuiii oa 

Kpixaiitbii»  (Kiotbriitoii  diiraaliial aor> 

Eiiuiaetuiii  nrvcimc HI 

aylvaticiim «l 

Eretbriiiuu  dniaalilH  epizalltbilfl 205 

Ercuimtna  iMTidi'iitali" »  148,189 

Eriaiitbnni  (Ocraiiiiini) 04 

Ericdides  (Kucninitritiin  caneaccua) 88 

Erigeron  |{labelIuDi 6D 

ituitlurutll fiO 

Eriiniatbiia  barbatiis 206 

Erniln™  (J'liliiriinl ;;08 

Eriopbonini  callitrix 79 

capitatillii 79 

cbainiaaonia  78 

Kracitc 79 

latiMliiiii 79 

polyatacbyuiii 7|» 

scbouchicri 78 

vaciimlufii    78 

Erili'ichliiui  ari'tioidca 7| 

plebi'.lura 78 

vtUoRiun 73 

Ermani  (Betulal 76 

Eryainiiini  lanccnbiliini 62 

Erytbrouaatcr  (Obclidonl 176, 177, 1(4 

Earbarbaltziana  (Lit*  err.) 77 

Eai^hacboltilaiiiia  (^  pbraitraua) 63 

Eacbachultiil  (KauviiKiiliia) 61 

(Baxifraga) 66 

(Vvratrum) 78 


j»*ni 


INDEX. 


215 


6» 
00 
208 
•>'{« 
70 
7B 
711 
70 
79 
79 
78 
78 
73 
711 
73 
T6 
Vi 
177, 194 
77 
03 
01 
06 
78 


P»({e. 

BKulcnta  (AUrlii) 85 

Eucftlyptrn  rhalidnciirpa 83 

Eiimptnplaii  Htollt'rl Q8 

Eiiphrania  ofllrinalia 78 

Buphrnalolilcn  (PeilifiiUrlii) 73 

Biitupaia  (ryrrliiila) |70 

Eiirnpa-n  (Tripntnlia) 72 

Eiirynorhyuohim  pyKiiui'iia 189 

Enl  ronia  edwuiilaii J3 

RTiitomya  nitlliis Jot 

Bxarata  t  A  Rnul  la) gi 

(Sailfraua) 67 

Eici'laa  (Tbiijal  76 

Ezillp«ta  ( Acanthi' liorneniannii) 171, 1"3 

Bxllia  (Saxifrng*) 07 

r. 

Faloatna  (Jimoiia) 7g 

Falt'oonlimibarliia 160,101 

colnnibariua  auekleyi 191 

Ulaiidua  ^  150, 191 

pur«|{>'i»i>"  analiiin 160, 101 

porej^rinna  pealei 160, 191 

nia1ic4iliiH 191 

ruHticohiR  (ryrfalco ...  l.'iO,  191 

HparvpiiiiH 191 

Familial  la  amrricnna  (CVrthia) 105 

Faarinla  ruHna  (Mplimpiza) 175,  IM 

Faaclata  (Vlinca) 200 

Fascicular©  (Kacoirtltrium)    83 

FaveolatiiH  (AUnnnnif*) 82 

F«Katclla  coiiica 84 

Frlliin  (Lntra) 207 

Felix-fn3inina  (A'plpniiim)   ..   82 

FeneatraiA  (Ciii'lilearln ) 62 

Ferrugiut-a  (Mcnzicala) 71 

(Trliiga) 189 

Foatuoaorina. 79 

Tiibia 80 

•nbiilata 80 

Fiber  (Cnator) 204 

zIbithecilH 204 

Fillclna  ( I'tiliita  pitiiuvaa) 85 

Fllum  (Cbiiiila) gs 

Fliiibrtutiiiii  (SpliAjiiiiiin) 82 

Finibraria  tenilla 84 

Flachori  (Arctoiiitla) 136,187 

(ConioHifllniim) 67 

Fiaberl  ((Eali  Plata) 186 

FlagoUarlH  (("laylonlu) 66 

(Saxit'ruffH) 66 

Flaviiana  ( Piia) go 

Flavlpi-8  (TotiinuH) .  148, 189 

Fl»vii«lcuco«trl«tu.<  (ISmlytt'a) 179, 105 

FlexiKimi  biictliira  (Aira) go 

Klocci'osa  (UlmdmiH-Ia) 9^ 

FliiviatillH  tKanliiiciiliiH) fli 

KiEiiU'ulainua  (Uyctbmipbon) 85 

Firllila  (Pbucai 200 

Fog 20 

Fuliaceua  (Aster) 69 

Foiitaiiii  (Montlal 66 

Furmoaa  (Aquilf«};la) 61 

FortiioHUtn  ( Poly  triobunn) 63 

Foratprl  (Sorox) 206 

Fragile  (Splin'rophoron) 84 

FragUla  (Cystoptorln)  g2 

Frngrans  (Anpidiunt) 82 

FratPlTObi  eorniculat^ 118, 184 

Frlglila  (Lecaiiora  tartarioa) 85 

(Nardoftoiiia) 68 

Frlgtdua(Seniclo) 7o 

(Aiitragaliia) 64 

Frltillarla  kaintapbatuenaia  77 

Fmteaoena  (Pentateinon) 78 

Fratiooaa  (PotcntilU) 66     | 


P»g» 

Fupiia  veaoiculoana gs 

Fiilioa  ainrrloniia Igg 

Fiillciirliia  (Cryniopblhia) 145, 188 

Flillglnoaa  ((jan'x) 70 

KullgliirwuH  (DendnigapiiHobHcnriia) 1.52, 190 

Fidiiiania  glaviuliagliiplHcba 120, 180 

rodgeiati igo 

Fulrniii  (Colpodlnin) so 

FiilviiH  (Cliaradriiiadoiiilnlciia) 149, 190 

nrgoutsliia  (Vnlpea)  208 

deeiiaHUtiia  (Viilpea) 208 

fiilviiii  (Viilpea) 208 

(Viilpea  fiilviia) 208 

Fiircata  (Ociaiioilroina) 129,  IWi 

FninirroiiHiPeriDoreuncanadenaU) 187, 103 

Fuuaria  bygronietrica 8:1 

Fill  cntitm  ( Pogoiiatiim  alpiiiiini) 83 

FiiBcn  (Oldi'iiiia) 137, 188 

KiiacicoUia  (Tringa) 189 

a. 

Gadnn  morrhiia 89 

Gale  (Myrlcii) TO 

UaleopHiK  ti'trablt  74 

Oallilinuo  di'licata 146,189 

OhIUiiiii  iipai'Ine 68 

boreain 08 

trittdiim 08 

tritlonini (W 

Ganibellii  (Auiter  Mlbifroiia) 138,143,144,188 

GairuliiH  (Aiii|ie1ia) 177, 194 

Gii»l'»rofltiii(*  catapbrni'tea 87 

iiiici'oeaplmliia  87 

pilligltiiia  braebypoda 87 

Oavia  alba 185 

Ueniinnta  (AjtrnatU) 81 

(teiitiaiia  tieiita 72 

alentlcn 72 

aniorella 72 

dotonsa 72 

doiiglHaiana 72 

iilaiicu , 72 

platypetala 72 

propinqna 72 

pruntrata 72 

tviiilla 72 

Geniiiiiiiii  erlantbiiin 04 

Oeiini  eultbifolium 65 

glaiinle 01 

marropbyllmn O't 

roHsii 65 

Oigantia  (Viclii) 04 

Olabelliiiii  (Erigeron)    uu 

Glibra  (Iliiuborn) 08 

lilabra  (ItoHcboiiikln) 74 

Obu'iale  (Geiiiii)  05 

Olaiiidin  (Dnilia) 02 

UlticialiH  gliiptHihn  (Fnlmama)  120,  li^O 

GlucluliH  (Pli'ilriinecten    88 

rodgeraii  (Fiilmariia 180 

(Siillx) 75 

Olandiiloaa  llletula) "11 

Glaiiia  (Uiiryflalis) 62 

{Geiitlaiia) 72 

(Kiiliiiia) 71 

(.Sallx) 75 

GlHllceHceiiB  (l/urua) 125.  185 

Glaiicionetra  riaiigiila  araeiicana. ., 134. 187 

iaiaiidira   187 

Glauriitii  (Platyaiiia) , 85 

GlailcilH  (Riii'bialieoletf) 200 

(Zygiitleniia) 78 

Glaiix  inaril Inia 72 

■(  i  lobillaria  ( A  rtelecaia) 69 

GlomeratatArtuiiicHia) 0!) 

Ulumaria  (Glyceria) 80 


216 


INDEX.. 


OliiplM-ha  (FuIiuBrii>  KiM'lalU 1»,1M 


78 
M 
80 
80 
80 
68 
7« 
79 
74 
6» 
110 
"0 
83 
84 
02 
00 
«4 
71 
(18 


GlLtinoMi  (ToflrlilU) 

Olyrorln  >nKi'"l*t» 

nqiiRllcii    

gliitiiarlii  

■ti-imnth«TiTtp«ni 

(Imrllnt  (Airliniicnltoa) 

(AtrlpUn)   

((^nrex) 

(G.TmnaiKlni) ■  •  • 

Op*phiiliiim  nvlvRlii'mii 

QorluiHclin  (Oncorliviirliuiil 

Orarllv  ( Eiioplioniiii) 

(rnlylrtchnnO 

Orni'lIU  (ClailnnU) 

( Drnbni  « 

(Til««l»» 

(IrnniUHnini:  ((;«riii<tiiiin  TulKHlnm) 

(irniiillfioc     ,Mmi««ii») 

(T»llinia) 

Gricoacena  ( I'ania  I'inrlua) '82 

GriapiventriafPyrrhiila) 160.170 

Oriafiiuiiclip  (LeurnatirlK) 171,110 

Grlaeo  allma  (C'aiila  liipiis) 208 

Grii'iilauiliea  (IMiiKii)     *'" 

GrcfnUmlii'nH  (lianulfer  tarnmlua) '•'02 

GriiK  4-iin»<l('UA!H ■ 1^  '^•'*"  **** 

Oulii  luatua 5*^ 

UiiltiKiiH  (Mliniilii!!)  "•' 

Giitlntiini  ((;>i)rlpi'.ilnm) "" 

Gynmaiiitrn  gmclini  '* 

M.llori "■» 

Oyiniu'lla  virldla   W.W 

(Oymnogttnprua*  plicatft    85 

Gyrfisl Knlroniaticolua) ISO,  181 

H. 

nH^ninsticA  (I.iiitoaa) 180 

lIiPiiiatopiiH  hai-hmanf l«*»lt  1^* 

Halia-ptua  all.iiilla 159,191 

larollni'iiaia  (I'andlon) 101,191 

liMiforuptialtiH 158, 191 

Hnlidrya  •uniliinlaroii    85 


HaloH  . 


S4 

Halonarcion  ranii'iitaceum 85 

Ilptlyaarum  lMtri'»K» •  •         64 

liiarkcnzii 64 

Ilelmlnlliopliilncidiita 178,193 


ri'laU  lilteaconA  . 

HvinUepldntiisjtttdaiii 

Ili'patita  Irilidm .. 

llrmrUMiiii  lanatuiii 

Ilniidiaa  (.\nlra)  

lleiMttinallutii  (Dirniniiin) 

HeHpcriM'ifhla  nu^via 


193 

95 

61 

67 

188 

83 

184,190 

Ui'Npeiia  paltuHii    62 

IIiapciiinivH  U'licopiia  winorienaia 204 

ileterartitia  liiianiia 148,189 

Hcttniiitlii'ni  (SaxiTrsK*) 07 

Ilt'iu'lKMa  iilalira 68 

Hexaiilanimiia  aaper 95 

ontinAtna 96 

aiiiH'rciHonuH 96 

Hinmalla  pariAriiK  (Tm|{l<><lytoa) 195 

Iliirai'it'iiMa  (Saxifraita)  67 

Hteraciuiti  triate 70 

llitii-m'titoa  alpina 80 

boi-pnlia 80 

Hipimi'Iiiaalia  viil|!oria 88,97 


Hippitria  iiiaritiiiia 

Tiiotilaim 

vul);arla 

HtrvnlDB  (SaxirraK*)  — 
lllrta  (Amiarla  ri'i-na)  . 

(DraWa)  

HIniiU  (Arabia) 


0« 
60 
60 
66 
63 
62 
62 


Vtgf. 

Binnta  (Cardamlno) M 

(rediculirlai 74 

Hiriiiiilo  iinaIaabli«'naU IT7 

Hl«trloulrn,hl«tilonlcna 184,168,187 

(lllntrlonlcna) 184,1*8,187 

Hulbndlll  (CnlymbuB) 115,184 

pi'plolriM 68 

TInnkftneya  pvploldea  oblmigf folia 63 

Ilm.kcrl  (Scnir.li.) 70 

Ildidoiini  Jubatnui 79 

pralrnaii 79 

Ilornliyl  (Gfeanralronia) 185 

Jlonii'mannll  oxlllppa  ( Acanthla) 171, 198 

Ilorrlliiila  (rr«u») 207 

niiirlduin  (l>ana«)  ...  68 

HinUoiiIainMn  (Itibt-a) 66 

HiidnnnU-a  (IMra  piia) 160,193 

Hiidannloua  (Niimi'niiiB) 149,  IBO 

(Parua) 183,196 

HiidMMiina  ((!lrcu«) 1.16, 191 

•   liudMniiiita  (St'liinia) 203 

(S<liirnpl.TiiB  vidncella) 204 

(Si'luriia  hnda4>tiilla) 203 

lliiinidity 27 

Iliinilfnaa  (StollarlB) ta 

Hiunilla  (Cnttiia)   98 

lliironcnao  (TaiiAri^tuni) 69 

lliitrliiitaia  ralyrina 63 

IIiitrhiiii.ll  ( Ilranla  ranadtmala) 49, 139, 143, 144, 188 

llyilrochc'idiMi  iilcra  Miii-iiianionaia 186 

Hypiiialix  (ClnnKola)   134, 135, 187 

(.riinii) 174,194 

nn<i;oniia  ( Jnnco) 174, 194 

Ilyiiniiiiftiiort  iFiiiiiirla)    83 

lly pirlmri-a  (Clieii) 138, 144, 188 

II>|HMlntnMitii  (AlyflBiim) 62 

llyppilionufl  (riectntpht-nax) 19* 

(Itaiiiiiiiuliial 61 

Hypnomin  (PHontnia) 85 

H.iltnuni  oirclnale 84 

crUplfolitiiu M 

di'ntU-tllatiini 84 

ilrrt'bnilll ...  84 

luxifidliim  84 

loii'iiin 84 

lilti'soiMia 84 

iiiyoHiirnldt'a  Ktulonlfernm 84 

iiiteiiM 84 

rovtilvoiiB 84 

riviilare 84 

rnKoHiitii  84 

mthinicniii 84 

mtli'bni^um 84 

scliri-bori 84 

wrp.'iis 84 

i4plt>itdt>na ...  84 

Ktnki'Hil 84 

at  ri  mHtini 81 

miUiirniHilln    84 

trinnelrtmt 84 

iindiitatiini 84 

nnii'liiatiiin 84 

IIypo(tliitti«  i.^atinyaliia) —  01 

llypomi-alla  olldila 102, 1113,  198 

UyaBiipifnllum  (Coriaperiniini) 78 

I. 

Irmndnpliylla  (Hiat4ir,i) 84 

Irmadopliilna  <  lla'omyct'n) 84 

Iliaia  (PBaacridlal    174,176.104 

llinca  unnlaaiiiiM'iifiH  (Paaiwi-olla) 194 

llloifbiiini  (llypiinni) 84 

InilM-r  (UrliiaUir) 115,181 

lucuiia  (AIniiB) 76 

(l)raba) 62 

Incamia  (Uet«»otltl|) 148,189 


INDE5X. 


217 


InoHiutiim  (Bryam) 88 

iur»iiii  (CoptiM) , ai 

louatA  (Cormllorhiaa) 77 

lDo<lonit4i  (Mnti  carlH) 09 

Inopn  (TiunB) 76 

luleferirolmm  (Leucaniheniura)  «0 

Int«riii«illii  (Zniiot rlchlR) 173, 1M 

Inh't-pren  («\r**narjn) l.Vi,  11)0 

Irin  HibiriuA    77 

iNliiiiilU-a  (L'elrarii) gfi 

(Glaiu'inuetU) 187 

UUniluH  (FmIcu) 16tt.  191 

J. 

Jii|H>Dica  ( BuliBDu) 202 

•ToiilHui  ']I**iitilepi(lotUB). 96 

Jubutiiin  (UordfUiu) 79 

Juncu  byemaltii 174, 194 

oreftoniiH 174,194 

Juneiu  arvticod 7H 

balUciis 78 

(jftrhimln 78 

csHtuiiuuri 78 

druiiiiiiondi 78 

fiiHlfitMiia 78 

fali'ittiirt 78 

pnradoxiiti 78 

ziplitoidf H  t riHudrua 78 

Jiiiiffcrninnniii  HlhiuaiiA 84 

tiiihuphylU   84 

Jiinlpfiiniitn  (rolytrkliuiu) 83 

JiiuipcruH  iiHiiii ...  70 

Jiirgeusii  ( UtduaitvriA) 85 

K. 

KAdiiircuftln  (SpennophlluM  ompetra) 203 

Kalmia  kIhii^'A 71 

Kamtc'IiaticH  ((Mtnithalia) 85 

KamtschatceuBe  (Uracontinm) 70 

KamtHcbatcendU  ( Fritillaria) 77 

(LyH  I'liitou) 70 

Kanitachaticuin  (Arctiodmcon) 70 

(Cnlt'iiH) 70 

Kamlrbaticam  (Rbododeiidron) 71 

KaiutscbHtU'iis  {Syiiiplot'arpuM 7fl 

Kenuivottti  (Coret:oiin.*) 104 

(Me^afWopH  aain) 192 

Keta  <Onoorh.Michti(f) 107 

EUtitcb  (ODcoihynehiis) 109 

Kittlitzli  (BrailiyranipbuB) 120, 165 

Koenijiii  (Plataniht-ra)  77 

KotKebiiei  (rariiaitHia) 03 

KotEobutmatH  (Tauacetuni) 69 

L. 

Lacnatrfl  (Bryum) 83 

(Ribea) 00 

LaKenurbyneburt  obtiqiiideDa. 107 

LaKopiiiii  (Carpx) 79 

LagopiiM  (ArehibiiU^o) 191 

IftKopuH 23, 152, 191 

(LflgopUB) ....23,152,101 

riipcBtris 154.150,191 

atkbcnsi)!  155, 156,191 

Dolsoiii 155,159,191 

saoctiJohaDoia  (Art'blbut«o) 158,101 

(VuIpM)    139,150,103,208 

Lanata  (Pedicularli** 74 

Lanatnni  (Heracleuni) 67 

^auc^olatnm  (Bolrychtnm)     81 

(Kiyalmum)   03 

Laii(iiHlor£Bi  (Calamaiirotitis) 80 

( Pf  dieuIarU) 74 

(Viola) 63 

Lanlua  borealis , 178,195 

8.  Mis.  156 28 


raB% 

LMnuKtndMiim  (Racimiltrium) 81 

Lapatbit'oltuiii  (Polyuonuiu  polyiuun'l>uiu) 74 

Lapt»onlca  batiuH  ( LiiuoRn) 148, 189 

(CabiiiiH^roHtiB)  80 

( Dla|>PUi(lu)  72 

(riiilaciucrea) 162.109 

lApponl"utii  (KhtidiHlendraa)    . 71 

Lapoiiicum  (Saltxf 7S 

LapiHiiitrMH  (CalrarttiH) 173, 104 

/lUnuiiriilurt) 01 

Lai  ix  ( KliiMbiiiiidu) 85 

LaniH  barntvlaiiniiH 24.20,  123,124.125,144,185 

braobyrbyucbiiB 120, 186 

car.biuanM IM 

calilniultMia 189 

;tlaii(-fHci>nH 125, 185 

IflU'OpttTIIH  24 

iictMoiii 185 

pbiludi-lphia 120.180 

KbintiHiiuuN 180 

LaHiocarpu  it'aiiipiiuula) 70 

T<at«<rltlor»  (Mnt  briti^ia) 68 

I^tbyi'UM  iiiaritbiiiiM 64 

Latifulia  (An-ta^roMtiMj 81 

(Andra) 70 

((^iuim) 81 

(Ori'hiM* , 77 

LaUfuUum  (Kiiiipborum) 79 

(I-ednm) 71 

I^iitt'tta  (I'dictroniiR} 108 

Laxirtiiia  1  AtCfof^tiH). 81 

liaxifiihutii  (llypuum) 84 

Laxirtitruiii  (Kil.i'iiy 00 

Lf caiiiita  pldlt'^<-f iiH  u)tHult'UHi8 85 

tui'tarit>a  fi  igida 85 

Lmlniii  lutiruliuiii 71 

pillllHtlt? 71 

I  eim-arpa  (Ciircx) 7o 

Lfiii*nHiH  (Cardainiiie) OJ 

Leporiiia  (('arex)  79 

L(>plarrbfM)u  pyrifulta 07 

LeptoM"pala  (Caltha) 61 

Loptiiriirt  ( AnatiliichaH) 9S 

I.t'puB  am»ricautiH  anu'ilcamiB 206 

timidiiH         205 

Lt'iu-aiilhiMuitblia  (Saxifraf^a) . —  00 

Lencautbfinum  arcticnni f*9 

intot;rifo1ium 09 

Lcncocephahirt  (HaliueUia) 158, 191 

I^^ncolnniia  {Otocuritt  HlpfBtila) 100, 193 

LcuconmlaH  (J>r>nbnte)»  villoauH) 192 

I.eiKoptera  (Luxia) 171,193 

I.i-iu'opiiB  (tonorii'UHiH  (Ht-Bpuioniys) 204 

I.i'iUMirhoa  u>('('iu)iHlritnia) 186 

Letii-orhampbiiB  bnroalia 197 

Leiicoaticte  ^riHeonurha 171, 198 

tepbmcot is  littoralU 193 

I^ucoatiiHlUH  (Hndytes  flavuH) 179,195 

LiKUHtimni  BCMiticuni 67 

Uiiiima  (Canx) 79 

birniaatica lJ*9 

Umtonica  bnuurt  — 148, 189 

Ui:aiia  (Af-anthU) 23,172,193 

Ltncolni  ( MelonjjUa) 194 

LhiDita  buri-aliH 08 

IJiinii-i  (Sajiina) 64 

Linuni  peitJDue 64 

LipariH  callindon. 94 

cyclupua  94 

Liplla  (K'tidf ntalia  (Smilai-ina) 77 

LittoraH8iAtiipU'i) 70 

(l.euc<>fitictt>  tepbroeotffl) 198 

Listera  cordata  — 77 

eacliRrlioltztana 77 

LIvida  (Carex) ...  79 

Llof  dla  serotiDa 77 


21g 


INDEX. 


PaCB, 

Lnlmtuii  (I'huliimpiiri) 145,  IM,  UK  IW 

L«U)>litiiri«  proriimbviM 71 

LomAriH  n|iirant .  K 

Loiiivl«»ri»(lTil«) 1»2,I8B 

Liiiii'liitiK  (An|i<cllllln) 8] 

Loiiuiciiiiila  tllArtruiiiIni IfiQ 

LniiKlraiiiliiK  If^ti-Lrinu'liin)     12a,li<S 

I.iiiiiC<Hara  (Airn  I'li'niiliiMii)    .  8V 

I.oniil'iiliB  (Sli'llarin) 113 

LiiuglpoK  (SIcllBrln)     m 

LiiiiKiniiiti  In  ( Nniiii-ulu*) 149,  IBU 

Luphixlyli'A  ftinilAtua 1B7 

Lnrviiiii  (Uvpniim)  84 

L4ita  tnioultiHA 93 

[.iilur  ( PrcM'von)  207 

Loiix'iirvinmtnt  minur 170.  IW 

letiKipterii 171,  IW) 

LtiKcnii  (Miitwtlln) 17» 

iS«Diclii»   70 

Li\iiiiiu(  (CriiiHtori 116,  IM 

I.nimrlH  ( ll<itiyi'liium) 81 

Lnndn  I'ttrliiila 117,114 

LiinirritiiA  (rutrm'lifliilun) 194 

Liipun  Krinfo-HUiitH  ir'unln) ao8 

LupiniiM  no<>tk«t4*i)itln 04 

IMTt-niii'* 04 

LllHCIiH  Hi  II  111)  207 

Liitimiuii  lllrlnillitlmplilla  lelatil)   19S 

in.vpuiim) 84 

I.iitiuiii  iKplliilil » 00 

(N'liphnr) (1 

l.iitviiK  (MiiMiiIiiA)  78 

l.iiini  raiiiiili'iiHiit 207 

fi'liim  207 

I.utrln  (Knh.vilria) 4«,  •-'07 

LiKiilii  arriitita    78 

raiiip4>Htriit . 78 

coiiiumi  I'onKtuta  78 

pililTO 78 

apaalkeii  78 

•padiecB  piirvillorn 78 

aplratik    78 

Lyrodeii  tnnieii 9:1 

LycopwlioUleii  (('aiwiuiM') 71 

LvnipiHiiiitii  iilpihiiin 81 

aiiiiiitiniiin 81 

(l,ivatiini      PI 

riiiiipliilialiiiu fl 

dfiiilioideiiin    81 

"••laiio    81 

■iti'lii'ime    81 

X.ynx  I'ltrpaliw  raiiniliMiaU  .   208 

l,yraliii>i  ('raraxaniiii) 70 

LyMicliitiin  kaiiilHrliatciiiiae 76 

M. 

Machli*  ( Alws) 202 

MHrki'liKiaiia  (Salix  rnrilata) 75 

Mm-kpiizli  (lli-il\naurMin) 64 

(Slinailim) 103 

Macrncarpa  (.\ri-iiarfa)   03 

<ralTya) '..  62 

( Plaiitaeo. 74 

MaciiiPfplialiiH  (PlivMitcr) 200 

MiicriH'i'iaa  (PluKiiicula) 71 

Mairocl;u>ta  (*'ar»'x) 79 

MaiMophylliini  (Ocum) 05 

Mairorlianipliiin  wnlnpaoi'iia 140,  lt<9 

Matnlaria  (Aitilint ino 

Maculiita  (  riiii((a) 147, 1X9 

Maeulona  (I.otal  92 

Uaiantlieiiiiint  bifolium 77 

MiOor  (PariLiaibirU'iia) 182 

(PlantaKu) 74 

(Pvrrbiibi) 1«S,I70 


rtge, 

MiO>»  (DU-riniini) 83 

lllypnnm  umlUHluni) '■'  "4 

Mulliiliiii  vUliiniia IW 

Malina  (.SalviOiima) lUt.  10* 

Ualiillii  l('i'p|.liiii.|      121,185 

>1an-liaiilirt  pnlyiitiirpha '• 84 

MaiKailtaiM'ii  1  Aii<i'iiimrla) 69 

Malllaiiialili.a  (A.Mliya) 133,  187 

Marina  (/uNtvlal 77 

Maiitliim  lAtriiplit) 8* 

(lilaiu) 72 

(HlppiirU) ca 

lMertep«l») 73 

iPlantAKn) 74 

(Tringal 189 

Mari'liiniiii  iTrl|{liirliiu) 77 

MailtiiiiiiH  iLathyniN) 64 

Mai'DiiiiatiiH  (Hrarli>iaiiipliuH)  121.185 

MartMiaii'iiii  (Ciirralliirlii/.H)  77 

iInlil.aiiaill«<ii.U'B W» 

iuiKloi-ala   09 

I'liKulal*    69 

M.iliicariroliiiui  (ll<i(ryctiiiinii W 

Mi-ailiii  iMiHti-rattitiilif 72 

Mi'dia  ( Plantat;!!) 74 

iSlrllarlal    63 

Mf^iipliTa  vi'iMalillU  i-'UO 

Mi-^UM-dpH  tiHiii  ki-iiiiieutttl  192 

Mi-liiniK-fpliiilrt  ( Ai'i-iiaria) 1.^0, 190 

Mi'laiiiili'iirtiM  iTodtnii^'i    189 

Mi'liitla  t-irciiiiirltii'la  (.-l-^Kiiililin)   191' 

H<*1imptza  ciiinifa 174, 194 

raarlata  riillua 175, 104 

Malaiiitryitm  api-laliiiit 63 

Mrlaiiix-arpa  (Carrx)   79 

McIiiAiiba  limnliii  194 

MiiiyaiillifiH  1 1  il'iiliata 72 

Heuzit'tla  frii  ii>:iiii*a 71 

Mt-Dzii>Mii  (Hartiuitiia) H3 

(IMpliiiiuiii) 61 

(Milium)  83 

(Neckura) 84 

MiTrkH  (('otvxoiuiH) 104 

MrrpinsiT  altiorii'anilrt  l^to,  IHT 

Ki'llaltir 131.  187 

Mfrkia  pli.\nnilf.>« ii:! 

Moraiii'U'H  (Salix) 75 

MiTti'liHia  ili'litii-itlala 73 

iiiariihiia 73 

paulciilata 73 

pUosa 73 

niliiiica 73 

Meiti-DHiaiia  (Aliliia) 70 

iCaaaiopu) 71 

Mi'.ti'liHii  K'an'i) 79 

Meriila  migratoria 183,190 

MctfOruluKy 17 

KOneral  couHlderationa  of 26 

MfXlcaiiim  (CIiuIuh) 181,195 

MiciiM'i'pl.uUiH  (<iriBl«'riiaU*iia)  87 

(.Soinuioaiia) 112 

Mlcrocctna  (P)U){uiciila) 71 

Miciiipoda  (Cati'X) 79 

Miciiwl.vliit  diplivllna 77 

Miitratiirla  (Minila) 18:t,  196 

MllU'liiliiiiii  (Aihilli'a) 60 

Miiiiuluii  iiuttatiM '. 73 

MiniiililM  liilfiia 73 

Minima  (lliauin  c«uaden»is) 189,144, 188 

Miniir  (l.uxia  iiirvinmtia) 170,193 

(Pyrola) 71 

Miiiutilla  ( ItiiiKa) 189 

MirahlliH  (Clup.a) HI 

Mlr»i;e 35 

Mnliim  alUne  r.i'Iatuui 83 

meuziiMil 88 


INDEX. 


219 


Page 

Mutiiin  piitotAliim  89 

rimlr«tuiii   M 

MniiililiMi  i'li'tiii|>li>ilnn) 83 

Md'hiiiixiit  I  iterlHnr* US 

llulllii  ( Kly •) ;» 

Miiiii'RUM  urAiiilltliini 71 

MouRiilai.KiilxIiliK) igo 

M(iiii>i'i>ralii(l'<'rt>rliinc*) It>5 

MolKii-ttroM  (Mnliotlnll) 1(10 

&luiiud<iii  iiifiiiiifM  rnti   ..   . lliU 

Miiiio|iti<rvtihiH  (HIinrnKrammnii) M 

UtiDtiiiift  (iMppiirlNr 08 

tl.illl  (dvln)  2(13 

Mull  till  fnlltHIIU AA 

Moiilli'iilii  .H'liliii'cil  (Hpiii'llii) I'4,1M 

Mdirliiia  ((fUcliiH) HO 

Miixi'liHli'lliiiu  (Ailuin) 80 

Monrluilllil  (OlibiiHI  203 

&li>taoniA  aniiiri'iiMln HO 

luxi^im 178 

(HMiluriH      178,  IDS 

Miiliii'ilhiiii  |inlolii'll>ini 70 

MiilliTl  (IlHibiila) M 

Miiliill<pnm(A»tprl (If 

Mfirti'iMiiilfH  iiniutuN 03 

Muncfllit  (Druttii) t...  62 

.MilKlcli  aliirriciiiiH 208 

IM'lllinliti    'JU8 

.M.MIlll-H  lllll'IIHfH       'mi 

&Iyi>Hi)tiH  hylvHtit'K 73 

Myuniiiiiiili'H  rtloloiilluniin  (H.xpuum) 84 

M.vrlrn  Koln  78 

MyililliiWi-H  (Salix) 75 

M.M'lllliin  iViiri-itiiiinif 71 

Myslii'i-liiit  (I<"l'i'in>) 'iOl 

K. 

Nnlmliin  nlnta* 70 

XnvU  ( 111  *iiemoichla(  184,  Its 

NttDH  (HotiilA) 78 

(Jiii)ipt-ruH) 76 

(I'cilt-iililK) e» 

Nnpt-HiiH  (Irlphinititliiiiii  (Aconitinn). 61 

NHroiMHidorH  (AiK'niouc) 61 

Niinlimoiiin  frijiiila 88 

Niutturtiinii  paliintit* 62 

NaMutn  (rcdictilarin)  73 

Natat'H  (rutAtiii>f:fttiu} 77 

(!^pHr):Aiii<itn) 76 

NeArrtlca  (.Vjtli.va  iiinrila) 133,  Irt 

NpckerB  iliiiiKlAMsii    84 

nifTi7li-i4ii    84 

Nt>}ilei-tA  (L'AlaniaijmstiH)    80 

Nelmni  (LaiioP'ik  iiipeMrUl 155, 150, 101 

(Laiiik)    185 

(KaiiuiM-iiluH) fil 

N«l>ollt>ii«  (SAxirrapn) 07 

NetiHiraliH  (l*i>a) 80 

Nfplininiit  arv'tii'iMii 85 

N(»rlia  (OiiciiihyiirliiiN) 108 

Ni>:ru  .Htitiiiann'imirt  (tl.vilroohrUilon) 186 

Nigricaii*  (llraula) 141.144.188 

(L'anx) 70 

Nlgripen  (Dioini'ilpa)  128, 186 

NiKriim  ( Kiupotruni) 74, 7.5,123 

Ni(«iiH  (llypimni) 84 

NItiilA  (Snxifragai  06 

Nivulia  (rii-clruplii'iiall    23,40,172,104 

(I'riiiiuln)    72 

(liaiiiiiK'iiliia) 61 

(SAxifrailA) 67 

UiHimriiili  il'leotruphxnai)    104 

Nivca  (I'lit.iilllUi 65 

MiiotkatfiiHis  (l.iipiniM) (M 

Novcborai-euala  I8eiiirii«) 178,  IDS 


Pane. 

Norregloa  (Careil 70 

^'uli'nllllal 65 

N<iNt4H-  viTnu'tiMiiiu    86 

Nulla  ((ixiiiiiililra)    67 

Nllillcaiili<(I'a|iavi'l|   82 

NiliUi'Aiilin  iSHiil'raKA)   87 

Niimi'iiliia  iMircalia Ut),  100 

liiiiliuiiili'iia 140. 100 

KuiiiinMtrla 140, 100 

taliitii^iiKia    ,,...  100 

Kllilii'riiHii  (Si-apalllcu)  84 

Niiplmr  liiti'iiiii  81 

Niituiiii  I  111  yum) 83 

KutkaiiuH  (Kiiltua)  85 

Nycl.  1  uyil.a     183,1(13,102 

(Nyiii'AI  182,163,102 

Nyi  lale  tiMiKUialmi  rlcliarilaonl 162, 102 

0, 

Obcorilala  (.Salii  palliMli) 75 

OIiiminU  (.MyotlfN)    204 

(Mh'MUh  (OiIiiIlmiiih) 207 

(IbhiiiiiiliuiH  (L.i^tmiiill>lit;liUM) 107 

()lili>iiKif<>lia  (CiH-)ili-atial 82 

(|H>pli>iilrrt  Hdiikcnoya) 63 

OliMrui'un  fuIiKiiii>!4iia  (l)i'Uilra}(Hpii8) 1.^2,190 

Uliauuru  (I'liyHilAi  85 

OlitwtiiK  (rulim) 182, 183 

(J'anmillictlla;     182,106 

Obtiiaa  (riatauthenO 77 

(^SHurlia) 72 

UbtUNiliilia  (Aiuica) 70 

Oociilintalla  (Urania  caiiadruala) 188 

(Eii'iine(oa) 148,180 

(I'liruaatricapillual  182,106 

(Uaiiunciilim)  61 

iSuiilAi'inu  liplia) 77 

Oovaiiodrnnia  lurLAla 120, 188 

liiimbyi  186 

It'ucurhoa 186 

Ovhracpa  (Spiiulla  inuntlciila) — 174, 104 

OobroiuiicA  (Al(M:loriA) 85 

narmt'ntoaa  (Alpctoria) .  85 

Oo(op('t.ila  (Urvaa) 65 

Oi'tupua  pUDl'latUH 113 

OcuUrin  (Moiarilla) 178,105 

(Ulitba-uua  ota^aua 207 

Oliiudialia  ilfUlala  anguaU 85 

KuMitmliatica 85 

<£uautUi'  (.Saxicula)  108 

(JBiclualia  (Arobaumliia) 67 

(CorbliAriA)     '....  62 

(Eiipbirtaia)  73 

Oidrinia  aiuiTiuaaa 137, 188 

di-Klaiidi 137.11:8 

fuMia 137,188 

pinpiiillata 137,188 

(IliiluH  lllypiiiiiosual   102,1113.108 

Oliviii'iUK  (KiKulus  aatrapa) 106 

Oliir  but>(-ili!ltn|- 188 

iuluiiibianiiH 40, 144, 1 SH 

Oncurbyuchurt  I'bouirba    105.108 

gorbiiHCiia 110 

keta  107 

kiautih 100 

uirka 108 

Opbioiibmnuui  vul^atuiii    ..     81 

OppoMitifoIia  (Saxit'ia^^al   06 

Urea  at  ra       107 

pacitlcA 23 

Orchis  latifnlia  77 

OrdinatUi)  (Ili-xagiaiuiuDs; 96 

(IreopttTU  ( Anpiiliiini)  82 

OrcKoiiiia  (Jiincii  hyenialia) Ii4, 104 

Oil«utalia  (Pyrrbula) 170 


220 


INDBX. 


I'mie. 

Urn*lua(Miiiinnnld«ii) H 

Ounipnia  i1«nU«x ....  103 

Oniniirrlilu  iiiiil*    i...  67 

Ornniindawii  (llaliilrya) M 

OtncnrU  nlpoNtrlii  leiicnlii'tua 1(M  IM 

Ov»liri«ll»  (Snilx)  7B 

OTalirulhiiii  (Vkcoliiluin) ....  71 

OvIIkm  iiiiMrhalua SM 

0»ln»  (KfMuiin) 70, M 

OtU  niotilan*  iliiMl 2011 

Oxyt'oi-nia  viilnHriM, 71 

Oi)rl*rKiiir<>rnili< 74 

OxytrviMin  cainimstrU M 

unlcDtla M 

P. 

PusiUca  (Orrk) 2^ 

(Trlnga  alpiim) 147, 1»» 

I'aciflcua  (TrnKliNlvtiis  hltnialU) 10'^ 

(rrliiatm) 116,184 

P»lld»  <CHali.ll..,t«) 71 

Palluianu  (I'hylliMlocs) 71 

Pallaall  ( llrapi'iiri) M 

oliinnUU  (Saltx)  78 

(lUniinunliial 01 

(Salli)  7» 

I'allt>nri'ua  npaftlenaia  (L«H?«noni) HA 

ralllii'iimia 30 

Paluatro  (Aulttrimiulitii) ^ 

(nirmiiuiii)  H8 

(Kplloliliiin) M 

(LoliiiiO 71 

(NaaHiilluiiil 68 

(Taraiartmo 70 

(Trluliichlii) 77 

PaliiatrixaiMHiH'oUiKOaUha) ..  Al 

( PantHiiHitt) fi3 

(PotHutlllu) 8» 

(Sciiklo) 70 

Pundloii  ItallH'Hiia  oarollnenal* 101,  IDl 

Panax  bftrrldiiiii    fit* 

PauU'ulala(Mmlrniila) ';) 

Papaver  alpiniiiii Vi 

i]iiiIi<'hmIi< Ol' 

I'aradiMi'K  (SIfi  ml 127,  I2«,  180 

Paradoiiix  (•liinriiia) 78 

PnriiiitiiuK  (Sifiiorailua) 12i),18f> 

I'aiii'tina  d'hyatin) Hfl 

PaiDiFlin  pii total;! W 

piTlaln  8S 

aaxatllia : M 

lilUc'ca H5 

Pannirfni(Kala)  Ill 

INlI'DaHHia  kotzi)t>lu>l 03 

pfllUHtlii* 03 

Parryft  ntucniearpa 02 

I'arua  atrtcapilliia  ucciilenlalla 182,  I M 

aepteiitrUmalia 1H6 

ciDctua 182,11(3 

Kficvaccna 162 

■iblKclua 162,100 

liiidaantrna  1^3, 100 

oliii-ctiia ..  182,183 

ruf«Hri-lia .  190 

albirii'iia 182 

ninji>r 182 

Parvlflora  (Ani-nioiie) 01 

(Cuallllfja) 73 

PaiTidorum(Ura>'oi'i>pha1uin) 74 

ParTifoliiim  (Vui'tiniiiDi) 71 

Paachulii  (St^Tcw-Hiiton) 8fi 

I'aaavn-Ila  lliuia 174,176,194 

iiiialanrlicanala 104 

Pateua  (Aiii>nK>ni<) , 01 

Pauvlflora  (Can-x)  79 

(Corj'dalla) <2 


Pa«a. 

Paurlfliinim  ( Vlliuriiiim) 01 

I'rali'i  ((•'alniiMTciirliiua) 100,191 

IVrltnalii  t.Splrti>a)   .' 04 

l'i'i'liiralli.(lininai 100 

I'tMlaliini  (,\illaiitiifnl ft 

I'lMlatua  iKiiliiia)   ...     .* U 

I'Mlli'illata  (Ptxileiilnita) 71 

JVdloiilari«H 1ft 

PiMliimlarla  capitala  74 

rliaiiitHNoiila  71 

•upliraaloldM   7t 

hiraute 74 

Unata  ...  74 

lauiixloiRll 74 

naaiila 73 

IMdIi'lllata   71 

aiiliiiuda 78 

amivtii'a 7S 

Ti'ral^olur 74 

TWilcilliilii  78 

P*-dit)e<i*tt'M  pliiu«tniM*llfiM    181 

Pi'laKli-iia  ll'lialamiviirax) 139, 186 

rnhiiatiH  (I'lialarrooorax) 130,  IM 

Polluclda  (Ti'iriiplilal 88 

l>iilli|;i'raapUi<i»a 85 

t'aiiiiia 8t 

pnlydMfltyla 86 

vennaa 8t 

Pviii'liipo  ( A naa) 187 

IVniiaiili  (M(iaU>la)  Wt 

I'oniinylvHiiiuu  iPotKiilllla)  86 

Pi'itNilviuiU'UH  (Aiitliiia) 180, 196 

IViiiatt'iuoii  rnitnact'na 78 

I'aplnidia  ( Ilonkeiivyal 68 

obluii^trollii  (llnnkeiieya) 63 

PfrcKrililia  anntiilu  <Kiilcti) 100,191 

(Anlxi) 09 

pimliiKKalc") 100,191 

IN^rt'iilH  (l.uplniiN)    04 

(.Swi'itiu) 73 

Piin>niii' (1  >""■»)  04 

PiTlui'UtH  U*aruH>)ia) 86 

Pt-rimiri'iiH  rtinait<-ii!4iH  fiiniitmiia 167,193 

rriia(>IiiN  hill,  IfatiiH 77 

clioii.^aniiH  77 

I'l  rliita  ( t'ai  niclla) 86 

l'cr»pi.illalB  (l)Ml.iiiiii) 137,188 

I'oriipii'illntiM  (Phalaurocornx)     7, 13u,  186 

Pt'tni'U  (Ariibia) 03 

I'etinebi'litltm  lunU'ruiiH 194 

PhuhicKH'uiax  dilopliiiauiDcinatna 129,186 

pelat;!''"" 129,186 

robiiHtiia 180,186 

IieiaptclllaliM  7,130 

III  Up 13U,  186 

PbalaHip""  ><>l>a><>" 14S,146,  148,  188 

I'biiAiaiii'lliin  ( I'tM'.iwnMuH) 191 

IMii'^oplniia  ilryiifMcria             83 

IMilypoidea 82 

I'bUfbopbylla  (SiiUx) 76 

PbU^lllii  nlpiniiiii 81 

pratuiiat' 81 

PbilM'te  HiiiaiiUa 142,144,188 

IMiibidrlpbIa  (Larua) 136,186 

Pbiira  fciaibita 206 

lipllda 206 

Knt'ulandii'a 206 

vitiillna  206 

rbocirua  cMiiiiuunia  300' 

viininrlna    200 

Phlox  alblrUa 78 

PhyllUoirti'a  (Salix) 76 

riiyllwloRc  pallaalaua 71 

l*h>lluphi>ia  ItrtHlia'i 86 

Pbyl!opi(riiat«A  bort'aliH 106 

Pbyacla  parietlna 86 


MM* 


INDEX. 


221 


Phyicl*  ohMur* N 

KlrlUrlii  IS 

rh V'Kkir  iiini-i  in'i<|iliiiliia 300 

IMiyiiiHlcr)  (Mnklii) «:i 

I'li'il  |>ir»  IiiiiImidU-ii IM.  Il»:i 

hiiiUniili'it  (I'tfl*)  \m.\M 

IMi'iiiorviiH  i-iiiiiiit))liiiiMii t   IV,\ 

Pii-oiiloN  niimrlrHiKiia lirj 

alimi  duiilt IIM,I«;I 

iliiriiulU .   IM,  IK 

PlotnuK/'klrKi'iKl    |M 

I'llmlnlo  (KylvKlila  |illlillU) IH 

Plllf.-nim  (IVlyd'ilimii)  n 

l*ilopbornii  iiricntM*'!)  OA 

ntliiiHtiiiii 114 

I'llou  (('anipHuiilH) 70 

(LtuiilK)    78 

(Mori In) 7S 

rin){iileiilii  iiiiuTiH-HruM 7| 

inti  iiirnrHM 71 

vllloNa 71 

vtiltfurlii 71 

I'iniriiln  cniirlrator IM,  IM 

IMinin  ct^nibra 76 

coutorlA  78 

liinpii 7J 

PJAfoilliiin  I'lfttC^n** H6 

PlnntHKoiimcrucfirpii 74 

niiOur 74 

nmrltliiiik 74 

iiimliit     74 

Plnt«nl1i«ra  dilnlnU 77 

k<M>t)iKil  77 

olititHU    77 

Ncliliicliiiuti-filllAna 77 

Plat.vpplairt  lUeiittiiiia) 72 

Platymiia  iMiiMiIlHliini fin 

Xlaiieiini 85 

Hf^pti'iilrinnuti* HS 

Plobi\|uni  (Kritrlrlihini)  73 

Plevtroplieuaz  hyporlKirvita 11*4 

niviillii   2.1, 48, 172, 104 

iilrnlin  towiimMidl ". im 

PhMiroKraniiuiiH  iiionitpU'ryKiii" IW 

I'luiinidyni' riilttU 72 

Plearoueot4>H  clac'talin .« Sk 

Mi'llatiia 87,(18 

Plicata  (OymnogrDii^nit^) 85 

IMuniuiia  (CliiftoptorU)  85 

I'cllciDH  (I'lllutn) HS 

Poa  abbrevinta KO 

annua  — ....  no 

arctira 80 

ucniaia HO 

flavU'ana 80 

nemoralla 80 

pratfuaU KU 

rutumla ., ..  i-o 

ittt^niiiitliu HO 

Puguuatuiii  alpiiiuni 8:1 

Htri>vli'eD» 8a 

r«pillarD 88 

coiitortum 83 

dHitHtiim 83 

Polaria  (AattnitHlua).. M 

(Sallx) 78 

Polenionluni  rwi'iilfam 72 

pult'helliiiu 72 

rcptann 72 

Polifolla  (Amlronii'da) 71 

PollUarla  (Ki»ii»lrlilii<!ljla) 124,185 

PolydaclyUlPcltisiia) 85 

Pulycarpuir  (l)icraiiuni) 83 

Polyganiim  alpinnni 74 

aviviilarti 74 

polyniorpliura  lapatbifoUum 74 


Pit«i>- 

Pulyilontnii  iHptiTit  oarpiini  74 

vl\lpaniin 74 

Pol>  iiiftrplm  (!ktjii  Imnlla)    84 

Piilyntiirpbiitii  (Iti-yniii) 83 

liiplllilt'ohiim  IPiilyRnuiiDi) 74 

PolyTMHUtun  vul)fart« 82 

I'olypiiiilKa  (Plii'gop'irlal 82 

Pulyti'b'hiini  cuvirolliiin Kl 

t'oiiiiinin<« 84 

fonnmum H3 

lirai'lUi H3 

Jiiiilprrlniiin H.'I,M4 

•Irii'tum H3 

plllftirum 83 

aviangulara 84 

Pntyatnvbyiliii  (Kiioplloriini)      7t 

PuniHriniiH  (SiftTiiiHrluN)    ,       132. 1H5 

PtipiiliiM  baUaiiiifi'i.i   7i) 

PfltaiiioKi'ttii)  niitiiim   77 

niri-Hi-(<iia 77 

Potcnl  Ilia  niinci  Ilia    ..  at> 

lililiiia M 

riimiKiiiiitn ; (l,^ 

riiilli'ORii    8.'i 

nana <t^ 

nirea  ii8 

nnrvi't(lra ii5 

piihiHliia    n^ 

piMiiiNylviiiiivM (Ki 

vllnKii 8.^ 

I*rat«iiNi>  llordi'um "» 

(I'hliMini) HI 

PraU'iifliH  (Cnrilaiiihir) - fij 

(l'"«) wi 

Primula  nlvullH 7a 

i-lricl»    7a 

UrooumbiMia  |I.iila<'li>urln|  71 

(Sllilialdia) (W 

PriMyiin  liiliir     .'U? 

Pru|ilu(|uu  (lii'nllana) 7a 

PpMlnita  ((iviiilaiial 72 

Piiiinnniia  (Arcldiiiyitl — -jM'.i 

PiuMido-nnilt'a  (Si'iiiriii) 70 

Patloiiiiiha  (niip'iiiita) 80 

I'nil iHiiiluK [i  y I'liii rbyurhiia) 1  lu,  185 

pHiirouia  liypmiiiiiii  85 

Ptuiniica  liniiiiliH iiu 

aibli'ira (11) 

ajHH'.loaa ,.  oil 

I'tiriamui'iitia H2 

ii(|iiiliiiii  8a 

Plil.KlllMllH   1  IliuUll) I8U 

Ptllulii  impliuiiiili'a  8.^ 

Pluliiiiaii  llllf  ilitt 85 

I't.Mliumiiipliim  nliMitli'ua  110.185 

Plilii-iiH  (Saiiil)ti('UH)   68 

Piilii--iiiii» ( l>i vdlmli'B) |H(i,  192 

Puflimii*  leniiirMiitiif*  120,180 

I'ulcli.'lhiiii  (Muliiidliim) TO 

(PolcniiMiiuiu)    72 

Puliu<iiiui-.a  (Slic'lal    Hh 

Piiiirtiilu  (Savifniuii)   07 

Punilatiiiii  (MiiiiMii)  — 83 

Piiniliitni.  (OilopiiH) 113 

(Sli.liuMiB) oa 

PnnKitiiiii  biwliypnda  (iliiHti'n>Hl«iiB)  87 

PutpuiiiM'pim  (('aliiiiiaifroatiri) 80 

Purpurea  (( .'ardiiiiiiiio) 02 

Purpiiri'iiH  (I.Hiiitiidoii) 83 

Purahil  iKiuiumnlua)  01 

Puaillu  (Sylviiiilii) 178,195 

pih'olHtii  (Sylrania) 105 

I'uailUla  (Hlniiirh.\  uiliua) 120,  I H.") 

Piitdiiim  i-riiiincH , .'. 208 

vIbkii ,..  2U7 

vulgaria 208 


222 


INDKX. 


P]r|(ininiia(Rurynorh.vD«liiiii)  IN 

(tUniiniiiiluii) 01 

(Mliiiiirhyni'liuii) mm 

ryrirolU  ( I.<>|iUrrhi>iift) *' 

I'jrrirnrmn  (Hryiiiiil H.I 

(TetrHpoin*) (H 

I*)rnljt,iiiln(>r   Tl 

rotiiiiilirolla Tl 

bmcKU Tl 

Hoounilii Tl 

P.vnilH'tlKrln  (Clmlot liiuiiiiaal Tl 

Hyrrhiilii  riuMlnl    IM,  170, 1(3 

olhKiwiMi IM,170 

oiM'«lni«  cuhIdI  IMI,1T0 

uuruputii ITO 

KrlMtvDiitrls IN,  170 

niiOor 1N,1T0 

orlKiiUllii 170 

riibliillU 170 

I'yriiii  rlviiUrU    6A 

Hitmliiu^iriilU OA 

PyindnlB  (ClwIonU) M 

g 

Qiiiuli  llnlvnilli)  (Can<)|«iiiiii)  IU4 

K. 

Kociiniltrluni  lU^ionl•rK US 

ouuencvns  ftrlroldiw f3 

faxMi'iilure 83 

ImiUKluiiauiii U 

lUi^liianiM-li-H  kIuiiimiii 'MO 

l{itl»  psriiilfnra Ill 

Knlii M 

lUllllHIW    U 

lUiiiriitaceiiiii  ( llaloMooion) M 

liana  Nvlvatira 0 

lUiiKlfur  taranilaa 202 

ourllHiii 203 

gr(riiUoillaua 802 

UaiiKllVriiia  ((;iMli>nia) 84 

lUimiioiilolilva  (Benplvruin) 07 

Kaiiiiii€iiliin  i-aokM'holtail 01 

tliiviatllin  01 

li)  lierlmreua 01 

lapiHiiiloua 01 

iivla<iiii 01 

iiivalia 01 

uooidvnUlla 01 

pallaall 01 

piirahH 01 

pygmniua 01 

Karittora  (Cami) 7» 

Keciirviiin  (SpliaKniiiu  cuapidatiiiii) 82 

KMlowikil  (KvhinoapKrnium) 73 

KcKnlna  calrniliila 1H3,  IDO 

aatntpa 100 

ullvaoeua IM 

Ucmots  (Carex) 70 

Kanlforniia  (Oxyria)  74 

Knpena  (Diantliiia) 03 

(TriroHiiin) «4 

(Triticuiii) 70 

ItopUna  (Piilemonlmii)  72 

KoMMliro:ia  (8<-iilclo) 70 

Reticulata  (Salix) 7S 

KeTolvviiH  (llypiium) 84 

Khakdocarpn  (Enoalyptra)  8« 

Bliamnlfolla  (Sallx) 78 

Khinaiithiia  crlatlKalll  73 

Rhudodeudnm  kanitt^baticnin  71 

lapponlvnni '.  71 

Ubwilola  (Smtam) 00 

Rbodoinxla  flacceoaa....:  8!> 

•arix 85 

Bhodoatetbla  roae* 186 


KbynrbiMp<ira  aM« 70 

UIImwi  bni<'ti*<Muiii , 14 

tiiiilwinliitiiiin • M 

liti'iintnt     ,, li 

laxlfloriiiii M 

nibnini  • It 

Rlobanlaunl  (Ai iiiiiitl  01 

(Nyi'talKlnUKIliailiil) 103,  lOl 

(Hallx)    75 

(Uraua)   NT 

Uli'biiriliiniill  (lliiyklnla)    tfl 

Kl|i«ll,i  ((Mlvlmilal    177,  IM     . 

l(i|>ui liiH  ImivalU  ( A rvlciiU) 2U4 

Klaaa  linivinwtna «, 124,180 

trldarlylii  |H>llloail« 124,1110 

KlviiliiFK  (llypiiunil M 

Ulviilaria  (i',\riia) 60 

(HaiirraKa) 67 

Kubiiiitiiin  (riliipbiiruii)    84 

Koliualiia  (rbuiiicrcN'iiriK  (..daKlcual 130, 186 

UuiIkitkII  (Kulniiirun  Kliu'inila)  186 

KuiiiniixolUa  nllrluMiHla « 73 

iiiiuliMrJikt^UHU   71 

ItoiiiaiiKiiRluiiu  (Spiruiilbiwl  77 

Uoaa  rlUiiiiiDiiiHu  65 

iluaia  (Uboilimiiahia)  160 

K<mi'Uiii  (Kpiliililuiii) 66 

KuiHMin  iStrrptopiia) TT 

Koiwll  (Cbi'ii*  ,18 

(•l.iiiii)   65 

Itumruliiin  (Mciliini/* 81 

lutlMtu  (ritJiintftyue) 71 

Uutiiiiilutik  ((yiirox) 79 

Hiitii     iCMlla  ,thuaera) 09 

Itiitiiiidii  (I'lia)  80 

Uiitiimnfollii  (l'.\nila) 71 

(Sallx) 75 

Rllblla  iilr  licllM 65 

clminiciiKtriia 66 

iiulkauua 65 

pwliUuH 00 

apiMlnlilila    65 

atKllnliiK 00 

Riihlcllla  (I'.vnlmlii) 170 

Uiibiu  (Alnim)    76 

(Sptrifula) OS 

(FiHliini) '      80 

Kiibnini  <  Itibcii)  66 

KuanaiMtiliMpizaraaciats) 17^  104 

Kufinu'enn  (I'nrua) 106 

(PotHiiiogotou) 77 

Itllfua  (Trii.  blliiK) 102 

KiiitoMiiii  (llypmim) 84 

Uiinii'X  BculiiHA  74 

ddiiieHtirua 74 

aaliiifolina   '. 74 

ItilpratHn  atkbenala  (Lanopila) IM,  190,101 

lU'laiml  (Laitopua) ISS,  ISO,  101 

(LiiKupiia) 104,101 

KnatlMilna  (Fali'u) 109 

Uyrfali'u  (Kaico) ISO,  101 

Kutacoiini  (Biitryrbliiiii) 83 

Kiitbi-nu'iini  (llypiitiiii) 84 

Kiilllu«(KT<>t<)iiiy«) 304 

S. 

Sablnil  (Xenm) 120,186 

Saitina  liiiiiti't 64 

Sttgliioiclia  ( Spurgiila) 03 

8aidn  (lluri'iiiciidUH) 89 

Salrlirimuni  (llypimiu) 84 

.Salkifolla  (.Splnca) C4 

SiilU'itiiliun  (Kiimox) 74 

Salli'imiin  (Vucriniimi) 71 

8rIU  aitica 76 

barclayt 76 


INDEX. 


223 


■'■(■' 

MlimnltU  ..     ..    76 

niki'kKiialiin* 7S 

Klai'litlla 7.1 

■Imivii 71 

h|>|i«iilriiin  7S 

invriiliilliw 75 

my  rtllliililKK 7( 

omliroll* 78 

pslla^l T5 

iilMuiniiiU  7t 

plilrl>ii|ihyllii ;5 

pliyllU-ulilna 78 

tMilM-lii  76 

mlniiliitH 79 

rliKiiiiiiroliii 78 

rlchnnUoiil    78 

riitiiniliriilln 78 

•It^'hi'iiiilii     76 

•pMiiHia 78 

iivk'iinil 78 

Tiifiinlii  78 

Kuliiiiiiliiimiiii  (Apilerl Ml 

HHlt'i'lliiuii  iiinliiiH 104, 105 

HHiiilMH-ir<*lift  0*>riiN) 05 

HniiiliiiriiH  pulii'iM 6H 

Hiincll  |"li'<>>iili<  (Ari'lillnili-ii  InKHiMia) 18H,  lUI 

Saiicl»li  lii'imln  nliiiiilliliiH  I  AiiitiiiKli>liill») 173.  IU4 

(Aiiiiiiciilrniiiiial 17a,  |IM 

Sidi^iiiHiii  Im  I'jiiiiitleitNiH 68 

Harnii'iilim;!  (.VIoctorlao     in  ■) 85 

(Cluyliinia) 66 

HkHaiimi  alpliiit 70 

Hitl    u  iiita 70 

Hiitra|in  oIlMU'iiia  ( KoKiilua) inn 

(ItciiulilK) IIH) 

Batiirallnr  (l'nla|it«a  ouhr) IB-J 

Haintlllii  «'iir«ii  79 

d'aiim^llu) •      68 

Saxicdiu  (tiiitiDlIm 106 

Ha\ifrauii  aTKlrnaat'i'tt 67 

iirmitu  67 

lirniicliialla 66 

n*rimii 67 

ra'Npitoaa 67 

tliiviiilni  87 

ini'liHi'liolUII 60 

I'XAmtii 67 

<'«lll« 67 

(liilli'llnrla 66 

Itctrniiitltt'rii 67 

lilcini  ll'cilia    67 

litrriiliiH 66 

Ii<i)i'iiiil)it*niifi>lla    66 

nititlii 00 

ni-lN(»niaiiu 07 

iiivAlin  67 

niHliiuiilia 67 

ii|i|iiMltll'<ill» Ml 

liiiiu't.tln 07 

vn-iiliirln  07 

umptlliliillii no 

Hiliii  ii'a 07 

Hiloiiittiirn 07 

Hpicittii 07 

trli'iiaplilaU Ut 

Sayii  (Sayoriiia) IM,  IU2 

Sayoniia  Miiyft 100. 11>2 

h4 

78 

7H 

77 

Kl 

M 


Kca|ianirt  iiiinM<r(m'-.    

St-hiMii-l)KiTf  (Kri'.phtii'iiin) 

Kchii'iiopi'iiHiMn  (.'Mliiiiii) 

tH'hiMrhiiiaroOlaim  {IMatiiiitlu'ra)  .. 

84-)irniluii  (DicruuiiiD) 

H4ilir«bi'ri  (llypniiin)  —  1 

Scli'piiH  crnpiloan 

a>lvntirtla 

8<!liinip'.«nia  voluculla  IiuiIhoiiIuh  . 


78 
204 


Hsiiirua  hmlaiiiiliiahiiilautiiu* 

Honlni'iiphHuiia  nanillinia 

8«filtipa4'riiM  (Miii'nirliNiitphiu) 

Hotiparluin  iI>lri,iiiiiMi) , 

Honrlilriilnta  (.St  Ida)  

R«ull< mil  I  I.lKiiatli  iim) 

HeiMiiiita  (Pyrula)    

llMiiiiii  rhiHiloln 

84«lnriia  aiirnraplUiia 

nuvi'ltorarttnaU 

flalauliit'lla  apliioaa 

H<>latf»  (l*yi'<)p*'<lli>iiO . 

H«iiiipaliiiali<  (^ulalltU)  

Hi^iiii'iii  aiirciia ••• 

friililua 

linokvrl 

liiXrua 

imlualrla 

|iaciiil»  arnica 

naiiilll'iillii  . .   

ti'liuitfuiiir'a ,. 

Hi'pli'iitr<Mim|i>  (l■lnl.^alllal  ....      

H*<ptt>iilrl(iiialiH  (AlHliiMHva)  ... 

(CaKtllUJa)  ... 

(I'uriinatrlr.  ptlldal   

H<>ip»iiH  lllypiMino  

H«.rpvlliriilla  (Siiiir    .'.I 

( Vi-l(Ml.l.tt) 

Hcnilliia  (Miiyilla)    

Sari'uliii'  (.M  riiuiiMii) 

rriiylitiiii) 

MiMiilalii  (U'l'laln) 

S4'!4<|iii6 Ill  rrriai-tiiiti) 

.Suxanuuliiri^  (I'lilyti  icliiiiii) 

ShIntlauKUH  (I. mux) 

Sllibaltllii  proi'iiinbxna 

Slhiilca  (f'hiyli.iilill 

(Iil«) 

(Mcrti'imla) 

(I'lll(.X)  

(I'turiiiii'ii) 

(Hiixll'rHKa) 

Hililrloiia  (Aat«ir) 

(Klyiiiiia) 

iiiiOiir  (I'liriia) 

<l*atiiNi 

HIiiiilfKi  (  Tliyiiiulliia) 

Hlh'lKi  ai-iiiilla 

HilfiiiUiira  (.Saxil'nicii;  

SlinurliylH-hila  iTlatiitnlltia Ul, 

puallliia 

liyKiiiHiiia 

Hliiiintiia  (('orviia  corux) .. 

Shiiiiiaii  (Di'lraiti'i'lu)    

Sipha^oliua  litiiliHti«a   

Slay  iiiliriiiiii  Hupliiii  aopliioiilita 

Siayi-lU4--liiiiin  l>i>niillillKiiil  

Iii^i  iniiiliiiliiini  Hlicvpa 

Slt«hfl)He  (Lyi'uiMMliiiiii)  

SltihoiKiH  (Al'iiua) 

(Alltmorua)  

(Hrniiiiia) 

i  Koitiaii/nnta)    

(.Sallil 

(Viiila  lilttiira) 

Hmiluoiiui  lilfolia 

liplia  occidt^iitalla 

Show 

Soirlalla  (.Spim-llB) 

Soil 

8iiHtla(Eo  (Minfi^i'tiHoi-a 

vir^a-unrea 

Holflariiia  ('riiUitiia) 

Suiliati'i'ia  apfctahilla 

V. nigra 

8(iiuuioaiia  inlcrocephalua 


MM 

166,166 

146.  IM« 

»3 

88 

m 

71 
N 
lift 

176,106 
HI 
81 

IM,  160 
70 
T6 
76 
TO 
70 
70 
70 
70 
«■ 
70 
70 
100 
04 
06 
71 
77 

Ul.  187 
83 
82 
60 
84 
110 
00 
00 
77 
70 
71 
60 

m 

66 

70 

181 

181 

104 

68 

07 

IIU,  1H8 

130, 185 

no,  188 

187.  IN 

85 

64 

61 

77 

77 

61 

76 

83 

80 

78 

76 

63 

77 

77 

18 

174,  IM 

14 

69 

00 

180 

137, 188 

1:10, 188 

113 


224 


INDEX. 


SonnrteiiHiii  (IleiipeiomyH  U.u»iiius) 2u4 

Sophia  HopluoiiltMi  (SinyiiibrhiDi) 62 

Soiux  i'(H>peri 'J05 

fufHter! , 205 

Hphamiirnin    205 

Hpadicea  (Lii/.ula) 78 

pavviflom  ( Liunb) 78 

Spargnniiim  iiatHim 76 

Hpari  erinn  (Fnlcn) 101 

Spatiilin'typiMita 133.  1«7 

SpftittHH  {PUnnira) 60 

(Salix) 76 

SpeclabiliM  (Rubim) 65 

(S«i«iU«ri«) 137,  188 

Sp^rgtila  arvHiiHis ftl 

rubra 03 

HaKinuldeH 63 

SporniophiUt 7 

SpvrnH)pliiltiR  oiupMlra  nnjirtia 2u:i 

kadittconHiH 'JOC 

Spbffirieuin  (Spluohniim)  8;i 

Hphirrophoi  on  <'orallniileH 84 

fraKile 84 

SpbaKnionlii  (Sijrex) 205 

Rpbaiintim  aciilifnlium 82 

cuHpidiiliiin  itH^urvum 82 

rynibifoliiim  82 

flmbriittuni 82 

tert'H 82 

SplachbLMii  Hpbr.^iicani 83 

vaaeulofliini 83 

SpbixletiH  (Ilypiinm) 84 

Spioitul  (llli'<:biiuni) 82 

(Lomana)  82 

SpicaU  (Etyna) 70 

(Luxulii) 78 

(Saxitra^n) 67 

Spintma  (SrlaniiH-Ua) 81 

HpiniihiHUin  ililatatiim  (ARpidiiini) 82 

Spinra  aruncuH 04 

he tiilifidia 64 

pf4-t  iuata 64 

H:ilic.ifulia 64 

Spirantl.  ^  romnnzottiana 77 

Spixella  iiionttrolaoi-hraoeu 174,104 

8ooiaIiH 174, 104 

SqiialuH  acautbiuH 112 

SqiiftiTOHum  <Uypnuni) 84 

Squrttarola  (Cbarndriua) , 100 

Statico  arnierbi    74 

Stellat  ia  borealia 63 

rrispa  Kt 

onutsifolia 63 

hiiniifuHa 63 

Iimgifolia 63 

lougipea 63 

nit'dia 63 

uli^inoaa 63 

Stcllaria  ( Fbyaola) ■. 85 

Stellata  (Dmba) 62 

Stellat  118  (rioiironect es) 87, 88 

(Kiibus) 65 

Stelloriaua  (Cawiiope) 71 

SUiUei  i  (Cyanocitta) 193 

SfelbTi  (Enicoiiyita) 135,187 

(Euniotopiaa) 08,  206 

{GymiiaudnO 74 

(Voronira) 73 

Sttdlnlata  (Caiex) 79 

Stenantha  vivipera  (Glycoria) 80 

(Ptm) 80 

SteumliiB  inackeni^i. 103 

Stennluba  ( Draba) 62 

Stert'ticaulon  paschale 85 

tonicntosum 85 

Sterna  aleutica 127,186 


PftgA. 

Sk-rna  parodUw '. 127,128.186 

Sturt'orarnia  IcuiKtcaiiiliis 123, 185 

paraHiticiifi 123,185 

pumariuua 122i  1*5 

ShchRjiiipiinilatua W 

Stii-ta  pulnionaroa 85 

HonrbU'uIata ...  85 

Stokmlt  (Hypiuini) 84 

Stolimifera  (C(»rmiH) 68 

Stnlniiifi'nim  (llypiiiiin  uiyoanrdiduH) 84 

St  ratuN 20 

Strcp^Ta  (Anaa) 131,187 

Stn^ptopiiB  aiiipb'xlfidiua 77 

ItHttMID  77 

Striate  (Dpndrtdca) ....178.105 

Stiiatuhis  (Acoipiteratrkapillua) IW,  191 

Striata  (Carex) 79 

(Primula) 72 

Strichiiu  (Polytriobiiiii  Juiiiptirimnn)  83 

fStriufma  ((;nluiii])^'n>aliH) 80 

Stiij;iwniTi  ([lypiiiiiii) h4 

SlTonj^ylm-i'iitratua  driibaubiciiHiH 126 

Stybma  (Carox) ^ 79 

Subarclit'UH  (lliibo  virKiidanuH) 162, 192 

Siibuiida  OVdicubiriH)    78 

SiibriilirolliH  (Trynsitert) 189 

Stibaiiiiiuta  (SiisHtiruat 70 

SultHpioittiim  iTriaiiUiin), BO 

Suimluta  Foatma , 80 

SububituH  (UruiiiuH)  80 

SucUK'yi  (KiiU'o  colmiibariiia) 101 

Siitlctica  ( PcdiiMilaiia) 73 

Siiorica  (Coriiiia)  68 

(Cyaufcula) 106 

SuiiHet  abadowa 31 

^iiipt-iuilioHua  (Ht'xagrainniuH) 06 

Suriiiaiiit^nHiH  (Hydroi:)udid«n  ui);ra) 186 

Stiifucr  i-urrunta 31,32,33 

Hiiraia  uhila 163, 103 

capamcb ..  164,102 

Swaiiihoni  (lliiteo) 191 

Swaiuaimii  (Tiirdua  uotulatun)  183,196 

S wertia  per«nni8 72 

obtnaa 72 

Sylvauia  pnailhi 178,195 

pileubita 195 

Sylvatica  (I'alaniaKroHtia) 80 

(CJadimia)  84 

{ M  3  ()sot  ia) 78 

Sylvaticiim  (Kqiiiatitum) 81 

SylvftlicuH  (Sciipua) 78 

Syiupb)curpua  kanitar.baticiia 76 

Syiiaptoiiiys  »;onpevi 204 

SyntbliboianipbiiH  autitiima 120, 185 

wnmizuHiimo 185 

T. 

Taobyoiiiota  bicob)r 177, 194 

Ta  iiittpti'i'UH  (CuttUH)   04 

Titbit ioiiaia  (Nuineniiia) :. ..  190 

TauHci'tuin  burouoiiae 60 

kotznbiirnaia 60 

Taraiidaa  (Kaiigifor) 202 

caribou  (Itantziler) 203 

Kru'iilaiidinm  (Kaiigifer) 202 

Taraxacum  dcna-U'ouia  70 

var.  coratopboniro 70 

ly  rat  u  ni 70 

pnhiatre 70 

Tnitarica  fri;;ida  (Lecanora) 85 

Taylorla  h,  r-ata gg 

THtima  >:raiiditb)ra 86 

Teloxya  ariatata 76 

Trmperaturt* 27 

Ti'iittUa  {Gtiutiana) 72 

<  Finibrarla)  84 


;/JP- 


INDEX. 


225 


lenKinalnil  rifhanlKunl  (KycUle) 162,11)2 

Temiinnlrii  (PiitHniw) 1»,  186 

I»3 

88 

82 

71 

66 

74 


TeiihliMvitiK  littnraliii  (l.rilroslirli-) 

Ti>nn  (SphaKi'O'ul 

T«rnatuni  (I^)tryrlitiim) 

TetraKou*  (Ca«i>in|>e)  • 

IVlntKomim  (E|iil<ibiiim)    

Tetrnliit  (I'»Ii'u|m1h) 

Tetmplmlnii  iiiiiioides 

T*'lrrti«tnm  p.vrifurinp  

Ti'triiplils  pelliirlila  

TbHliftniii)  a)piiiuni 

TI.HiiinMliH  vonDiciilAip    

Tlni.U  I'xi't-IiMi 

'riiyiiiulliiH  Hi^nltei-    

Ti»tfllBirir«H«ln ... 

Tidm 

Ttlriia  Knx-illa 

Titfnli  (Tulgaris  artenii'Hla) 

'I'Uiaiwa  (FarimJia) 

riiiiiiliia  ( Litpns) 

'J'iitli>ldia  Ixirealia 

f'occinfa 

^lutiuo^a 

Toinentonunt  iHtvreooanloD) 

Turqiiatiia  (Ciiniciilua) 


62 

88 

61 

8S 

76 

104 

118 

:)3 

IKI 

6» 

85 

205 

78 

78 

78 

M 

204 

TotatniH  tlavipea 148,180 

iiit^lanolfMictifi ifto 

Holitariurt 189 

TowDMiidi  (Deiidroioa) ig6 

il'li'vtroplienax  uiralial 104 

'i'l'iundrim  (Jimciia  xiphioldrB)  78 

Tiianfii>l**i'>'*  (^t'ul^fu)  •-  70 

Tiiriipliylla  (JuiiKerniBunia) M 

TrtcuapiduU  (Saiifraiia) 66 

Trldaitjla  polllcmia  (Ulrwa) 124.186 

Trieutalia  ruropea 72 

ai'ctica 7 

TrlUdiim((iallliir.i) a^ 

Tiitolla  (OopOa)  (i 

Trlfollnta  (Men.vaiitlio) 72 

(Tiarella) os 

Trirtuium  ((lalUniiO  (jg 

TrifoHuut  repcna 04 

Tri^Iochin  luuiitiiuuiii , 77 

palnatre 77 

Trilnlia  (Ili-putUal gi 

'i'rintfa  lu-miiiiiata igy 

ulpiua  pacihCA 147, 180 

bairdii 189 

lanutua 146,18 

"oiieel 147, 180 

UuiuacoDKin 189 

ferruginea 18O 

I'uacicollls 189 

muculatu 147,180 

inaiitiiua 180 

nilnutilla 180 

ptiUtoutjmia 189 

Tnptuiot'arimni  <Polygonuti) 74 

Triqiietnim  (llypnum) 84 

Trtaetiiiii  rcTiiiiltim 80 

auaqniHnriira 80 

Huliaploatnin 80 

Xii»t«  (Hiernciuni> 70 

Tritloum  rvpena 70 

'IrotihiliiB  rufua 102 

Troglodytes  iilaacenaia 181,199 

hieiiinlia  pnolfloufl 105 

Troiloi-Jilifornira  lUiia) 1?2, 185 

T urceolatua 83 

Tryngltiw  anbruBrolUn 189 

Tiirdiia  alloln 183,106 

aoD«...achliie 106 

iiatiilat  iiB 186 

awalnsonii 183,196 


Vage. 

Turgldnni  ( A  iilacomninn) 88 

Turnerl  (Lycodpa) Oil 

Tiriltght  riirvHa 36 

r. 

Dliginoaa  (St«IUrla) 03 

Ullglnoauin  (Vaoninliiinl  71 

Ulola  bnrclayi S» 

ritila  caimrwh  (Siirnia)    164,102 

'•ineriw    161,102,102 

lapponii'* 162, 10'.' 

Ulllla  (Sumift) 163.  192 

UiiilM'llobbn  (Ihiuaan  iinihfllua)    I.'i2, 10(1 

Uiiibplliin  unilH'lliibloa  dloiiaaa)  152,  lOfi 

rnaliiNchcfimiN  (I'aH8<>r«IIa  iliaciO    IM 

rniilaHchki'iMH  (Arnica) 70 

(('■•llniKl B8 

riialaHcbkt'iiaia  (Kuniauznflla) 7:1 

Unalaslikf'iihiH  (liirundo) 177 

UiiHlaHclikiaiia  (l)iaba) 02 

0Di'ialia  (Cladoiilai 84 

I'ncinatiim  lui^lua  (Ilypniini) 84 

ITudiilaliiiii  (ll.vpuuni) 84 

Uuitlui'u  (Caiiipantita) 70 

Uuiftoroiii  (EiiKi'Kin)  60 

Upaoleuain  (Lt'caaura  pulleat'eDa) 85 

Uralenxia  (Ox.vtropiiai 64 

Uicfolutiis  (  r ) 83 

rria  lomria  arra 122,185 

ti'uile  califiii'iiloa 122,185 

I'rile  (I'lialaiiui-orax)    130,186 

Uriuator  adamsii 115,184 

arctkiii. 116,184 

iinbei 1 16, 186 

liinime 116, 184 

paciflciia 110,184 

UnlDUR  (CallurbiniiH)  46,206 

rrsuB  AiiitirloauiiH 206 

bonibllia 207 

richardsoui 2il7 

Diticadioica 76 

DatulatuH  BwaiUfioiiii  (Turtlna) 183, 106 

(Tiinlua) 106 

Cvulavia  aoiplexifolU 77 

Uvaiirsl  (Arctoataphyloa) 71 

(Sallx) 76 

V. 

Vaci'iuiuiii  (-ffapitoaum 71 

>!baniiasoni«  71 

niyrtlllua 71 

iiiyitilloidt'a  71 

uvalil'uliuui  71 

paivil'ulium 71 

HHlicinuin 71 

uligiiiuauiu 71 

vitiaideea 70 

Vngaiita  (Sallx) 75 

A'agiiiatum  (Kriophorum)    —  78 

ValeiiuiiHcapitata 88 

dloica 68 

Vallsiiuria  (AyUi.va) 187 

VanflUua  Tauellua lOo 

(Vanelliis) 100 

VaariiloBum  (Splaohmim) 83 

Vegetation 16 

Velox  (Acclpiler) 186,100,191 

Veuoaa  ( Peltigera) 86 

Veratruiii  eaobai'liollJill 78 

Vflrniictitare  tTbaniiiolia) 86 

Verna  (Hirtfturenaria) 63 

Veronion  alplna     73 

amerlcana  73 

aiiagallia 78 

biMicabungii 78 

uirpylllfolia 73 


S.  Mia.  165- 


-29 


22« 


INDEX. 


I'lige. 

Verontc-a  Bt4^Upri 7j 

Verrucoanm  (Nontuc) MS 

VeraabUia(Maiiapteni) -. 200 

VertlnllUta  ( I'mllculnrlal 73 

Veacionlunna  ( Kiiiua) M 

Voaicarii  (Carex) 7» 

Venicolur  (I'lHlii^nlarta) 74 

Vibiirnom  acerifolium 08 

paiu^inoruiii Ail 

Vicla  gigantea 64 

Villaraia  criatanalli  72 

Villoaa  lAudrnaatrl   Ti 

VIloB*  (I'lDnniviiln) 71 

(PatmitiUal  05 

Villumini  (Kpltriiihliiin)  78 

VllloDuslfucumelaH  (Dr.vobaton) IK 

(Mallntiin) IW 

Viola  bi^ora  aitohtimia «8 

bliinda MS 

lanRmloiHii «3 

VlrKaaiirru  (8oli<l»KU) '. (Ill 

Virgata  (Apbrizn) 1.10,190 

Virgiiiinniia  arotirim  (Biibni  102 

((.'iiliiiiiH) 153 

allbarctiouii  (Itilbcii 162.192 

Vlrglllion  (l.'liiytdiiliil    W 

VirginuTim  (liotryihlum)  Kt 

Viridia  (AIniia) 76 

((i.vniiu'llh) ■ 08,93 


Viila-idiL.a  ( Vavclniuiii) 

Viaoii  (PiitoriuH) 

Vitnlinn  iIMuh'a) .. 

Vivlpaviini  (Polygountii) 

Vivipera  (Glycciia  alHiiaiitha)    

Voliu'elln  butlanimm  (Stiiiiropt*'riiH)  . 


71 
207 
206 

74 

Ml 
2114 


pm*- 

Voiuerlna  ( IMiocifna) 200 

Vnlgra  (Siimet«ila) IM.IM 

Viilgare  (I'olypodliini) 88 

Vulg«ri»(Art«ni«ala)  .   611 

(Barborcal in 

(Knmellai 74 

IIIipiKiglnaaiial  M,tT 

(Illppnrih)  66 

(Putoriiia)  20(1 

Viilgaliim  (Ceraatluiu) 64 

<Oplitogl«)aauni) t- 

Viilprx  liilviiaargentalua 20» 

diM'uitiuitiia. . .  208 

fulviiB 2011 

lH|!«|<llr<    130,  1.16.168.  von 

W. 

W»*lHiii  M^rriilata Wl 

Wind- 31 

Wiimixiiaumf  iSyiithHlHiranipbiin) IHS 

X. 

XaiilbitKiiatbuH  I  Arvicola)  204 

Xeiiui  ««bliili 24.li6.IM 

Xtphi«ld«4H  rriantii-ui*  (.Innrtitt) 7H 

•£. 

ZeUtiiiii  (Mnliiiti  afHnp) 88 

ZIldtLiM-UR  (Fiber)    204 

Zonotiiubia  rotonala 174,104 

iiiteraiedia 178,1114 

Z«»Ht4.ra  mai'lDa 77 

Zygndi-tma  glanriia 7 


« 


■«• 


